Zereda Hicks Holland, age 96, of Columbus, Georgia passed away on January 7, 2020. A Celebration of Zereda’s Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary. Inurnment will be at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery on Monday, January 13, 2020 at 2:30 pm.
Zereda was born on February 22, 1923 in Talladega, Alabama to her parents, Archie Hicks and Mary Butler Hicks. She grew up in the Talladega area and graduated from Talladega High School. She joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and worked for the Secretary of the Navy in Washington, D.C. In 1945 Zereda married R.C. Holland, and they had three sons, Kenneth, Mike, and Gary.
Zereda lived life without expectations and found great joy in being down to earth. She was honest, humble, and enjoyed every opportunity she had to serve others. She volunteered at Camp Joy, knitted angels to sell at charity fundraisers, and knitted hats for cancer patients. She led a Christ-like life by serving others all of her days. Zereda enjoyed many things during her life, including the Atlanta Braves, auto racing (her favorite drivers were Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr.), volunteering at Meals on Wheels, Feeding the Valley, Valley Rescue Mission. She started two Red Hat Society Chapters in Columbus, and she was a volunteer with the Piedmont Volunteer Auxiliary. Zereda also enjoyed traveling, seeing new places, and meeting new people. What she truly loved was her family and spending time with them, especially those times when she was able to cook for them.
Zereda is preceded in death by her parents and her son, Kenneth Holland. Survivors include her two sons, Douglas Michael Holland and Gary David (Debra) Holland; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; and numerous additional family members and friends of family that will cherish her memory.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation on Zereda’s behalf to the American Red Cross.
