Swap Shop

So how did Kathleen meet her late husband Randy? “He was a senior and I was a sophomore in the same high school. He was working at a drug store as a soda jerk in Kirkwood, MO, a suburb of St Louis, where we grew up. Now let me clarify that term, as back in the day that’s what you called the person behind the counter who served soda,“ she explained. “Bottom line, a couple of my friends and I were flirting with him and it worked, he asked me out for a date. He was going take me on a sailing trip, but instead we went to eat dinner with some friends and then we went to see the movie “Around the World in 80 Days” and had a really good time. We continued to date and well, now ok (laughs), we both already had a boyfriend and girlfriend, so when they got back from their summer camps, they were not too happy with us,” she said with yet another laugh. Randy was quite the innovator even when it came to dating. Kathleen said he borrowed his sister’s horse named Passion and rode it three miles across town and then threw rocks at her window to get her attention. Once she came out, he took her for a ride in a nearby field, and soon after, a lot of their friends joined them for fun filled afternoon. Kathleen eventually married Clifford Randolph Holland. Randy graduated with a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Washington University while he was in ROTC. During this time their first child, a son, Randolph Robert Holland, was born. After graduation, Randy transitioned to active duty as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army which was the way to go to espe- cially if you had a family because of the better treatment of officers. This was at the time the Vietnam War was ramping up and he received a two year assignment at Fort Huachua in the Arizona desert. Kathleen said this was at the time in 1963 when President Kennedy was assassinated. “We were at the grocery store when we heard about it. I also remembered that we ended up eating Thanksgiving dinner in a diner on our way to Arizona.” While at Fort Huachua, Randy did secret work on large observation drones for the military at the location which was known as an electronic proving ground at the time. While at Fort Huachua, their second child, daughter Shelly Holland (Elliott) was born. The next stop for the Hollands was Panama City, Florida, where Randy worked in a Navy mine defense lab which designed and built mine sweepers to detect mines and detonated them in front of ships to keep the ships safe. While in Panama City, Kathleen became very involved with PTA and became the leader of a Girl Scout troop. Randy and Kathleen purchased a sail boat and enjoyed both sailing and camping in their spare time. In 1977, Randy and six of his co-workers from Panama City came to work for the Navy with NORDA (Naval Oceano- graphic Research and Development Activity) at what is now known Stennis Space Center. Once settled in Picayune, Kathleen became active in a number of commu- nity activities including the Garden Club (served as Chairman twice), the Republican Women (chairman), Friends of the Library (38 years and still active), Pearl River County Library Board (12 years), and United Way. During this time, she also opened a business (Silver Spoon Tea Room) for two years (1982- 1984) and served as Mystery Shopper from the late 80s until 2016. Holland loves the many organizations she has served, and her many years scouting is still dear to her heart. “I was in scouting from age 6 as a Brownie until I graduated at age 17. Then I later served in many roles from leader to board member. I was involved for a total of thirty nine years and loved every minute of it,” Kathleen shared with a wide smile. When asked what do you like about Picayune and the surrounding area? “I like the community in Pearl River County because we have the most positive, innovative, and friendly people I’ve ever met. For example, I enjoy going out to events like the Street Fair and see all of the smiling people. I’ve traveled a good bit and you don’t see as many happy, friendly people in other places as you do right here in our community,“ Kathleen shared. Randy and Kathleen enjoyed traveling and many different excursions during their long life together. Randy passed in 2016, but Kathleen continues to travel today, mostly with her children and grandchildren, which she says gives her insight you don’t always get during normal family time. www.southernsenior.info 27