Catherine Arrendale Sheets Holland

Catherine Arrendale Sheets Holland, much loved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 in Poplar Bluff surrounded by her family after a sudden battle with cancer.

Catherine was born on Feb. 20, 1941, in Kansas City, Mo., to Edward Tucker Sheets and Catherine Arrendale Sheets. Born a twin with her beloved sister Conley Lela Sheets, she grew up along the red brick roads of Main and Vine streets in Poplar Bluff. She graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1959 and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., in 1963.

She married John Deal Holland of Poplar Bluff, Mo., on March 9, 1963. At a time when it was not fashionable to be a military wife, Catherine kept the home fires burning through 21 years of naval deployments including her husband’s tour of Vietnam. Upon John’s arrival home from Vietnam, they joyously burned their letters. Throughout the deployments, Catherine was active in officer’s wives clubs and gave birth to four children.

During John’s final posting in Washington, D.C., Catherine was involved in the Alexandria, Va., community through the local PTA, as a Cub Scout leader, in the Presbyterian Church, started Cat’s Cushions business, as a soccer coach, and was a proud outside defender for the Burgundy Bells soccer club.

Following a 1981 return to Poplar Bluff, Mo., Catherine remained dedicated to raising her family and serving the community. She was involved in PEO, Monday Literary Club, the Third Tuesday Book Club, the Poplar Bluff Public Library, the Friends of the Margaret Harwell Museum, ADAPT, the Willhaven House and the VFW Auxiliary. She was a regular liturgist at the First United Methodist Church as well as a substitute teacher and co-owner of the business Bowz and More. Catherine was also a member of the all-ladies Mardi Gras Krewe of Iris of New Orleans, La., and enjoyed participating in the balls and parades.

Born with a particularly curious mind, Catherine loved science, antiquities and travel. She visited all 50 states, dozens of countries and walked on all seven continents taking on such activities as hiking and dog sledding. She was a lifelong bibliophile and believed enigmatic words stimulate learning.

Catherine leaves behind a legacy of love and joy to those who will dearly miss her company and wry humor.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, John Holland of Poplar Bluff, Mo.: her son and his wife, Timothy and Challis Holland of Holts Summit, Mo.; her next son and his wife, Daniel and Gabriella Holland of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; her daughter and her husband, Heather and Patrick Wroge of South Grafton, Ma.: her eight grandchildren Mary-Catherine, Ashley, Sara and Tommy Holland; Catherine and Alexander Wroge; Nathan and Gabriel Seidl.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Conley Lela Sheets, and her first, stillborn son.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff with the funeral service following at noon. The Rev. David Stewart will officiate. Interment will be at the Poplar Buff City Cemetery.