Frances Barnes Holland

Frances Barnes Holland, 95, of Lucama, went home to meet her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Little Rock Original Free Will Baptist Church on Thursday March 5th at 11:00 AM, followed by visitation in Heritage Hall. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Park on Friday, March 6th at 11:00 AM.

Frances was born in Wilson County to Arthur Lee and Lettie Kirby Barnes. She graduated from Lucama High School, and later, East Carolina College (now University). Frances taught home economics at Contentnea School near Kinston before becoming assistant food service director at Caswell School in Kinston. She returned to Lucama in 1960 to become a full-time homemaker and mother, a role she accepted with love, grace and kindness. This role was not reserved for her immediate family. Frances was a mother-figure to many close friends as well.

Frances, was a talented cook and shared many meals and recipes at family gatherings and church functions. Being a loyal member of Little Rock Baptist Church, she was very active and a focus of compassion and love as long as her health permitted.

Another love and talent Frances had was working in her garden. She loved the beauty that her wild flowers and roses brought to everyone she shared them with.

Her sweet nature and genuine kindness touched everyone she met. She had a special gift for making everyone feel like family and it was impossible to know her and not love her.

Mrs. Holland is survived by her daughter, Alice H. White of Wilson; granddaughter, Rachel W. Johnson and husband, R.G. Johnson, of Wilson; great-grandchildren, Corben Riley Johnson and Camden Ray Johnson; step-granddaughter, Laura Carver and husband, Stephen Carver, of Clemmons; step-great-granddaughters, Kyndal Carver, Khloe Carver, and Kennedy Carver; sisters, May B. Pittman of Greenville and Barbara B. Ritter and husband, Phil Ritter, of Madison, WI; sister-in-law, Judy Holland of Wilson and Tom Lucas of Kenly; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Lettie Barnes; husband, Willis “Bill” Holland; infant daughter, Wilma; infant son, Steven; son-in-law, Raymond “Ray” White; sister, Sybil B. Lucas; sisters-in-law, Doris B. Godwin, Lucille Holland, Ruby L. Holland, Annie Lee Barnes, and Betty Faye Raper; brothers-in-law, Stearle Pittman and Jimmy Holland.

Memorials may be made to Little Rock OFWB Church, Memorial Fund, PO Box 340, Lucama, NC 27851.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, (252) 237-7171, www.wilsonmemorialservice.com