Elizabeth Harlan

May 10, 1924 - March 8, 2022

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Mrs. Elizabeth Parker Jones Holland Robinson Harlan Life Reflections Her Story Mrs. Elizabeth Parker Jones Holland Robinson Harlan “Madea” As beautiful as a rose to see, was her life she lived so gracefully. She made things precious by her touch; her selfless love lives on in each of us. The petals of her life fell one by one; each a gift of her heart, till there were none. Yet, her radiance blooms once again, in fields of glory, with no end. As I pen this obituary life reflection, for my/our mother, I will tell you her story… It is said that when life begins, is like an open book with many blank pages. Each day we live, our deeds are recorded page by page, until we close our eyes in eternal rest, and wait for that great resurrection getting up morning. The pages of this book started when Arvilla Allen Walker and Jesse Whalon Parker were blessed with the birth of a beautiful daughter, Elizabeth Parker, on May 10, 1924 in Naples Morris County, Texas. How she got her name Elizabeth stated, “My Grandfather, Alex “Elec” Walker, gave me the name Elizabeth, which was taken from the Bible. He turned around and nicknamed me Bell. He said, ‘When I hollered, I sounded like a bell.’” Everyone stopped calling her Elizabeth. She was known as “Bell” down in East Texas. Elizabeth (Parker) Harlan, affectionately known as “Madea” was always happy, full of laughter, and love. She talked about some of the conditions and stories that were told surrounding her birth. She stated, “When my mother and father separated, my mother met and married John L. Crowder. I was not John’s biological child. My mother’s parents, Alex and Katie Fronia (Wilkerson) Walker, feared that John would treat me differently. I was left in the care of my loving maternal grandparents, who raised me on their farm.” Elizabeth’s mother, Arvilla Allen Walker, and grandparents, Alex “Elec” Walker and Katie Fronia (Wilkerson) Walker, were all farmers. Her grandparents had eleven children; their names were James “Jimmie”, Truella, Arvilla (her mother), Richard, Rufus, Ruby, Rayfus, Pauline “Peach” and Pearline “ Pigeon” (Identical twins), and two additional sisters who died at birth. Her father’s parents Ephraim “Eph” Parker and Annie (Calvin) Parker had seven children; their names were Lawrence, Era, William “Willie”, Emma K, Lena K, Jesse Whalon (her father), and Charlie. All of the mentioned relatives on both sides were born in Naples, Texas; each of them influenced Elizabeth’s life, as she respected and loved them. In addition to her biological father, she also had three stepfathers. Their names were John L. Crowder, Neal Anderson, and Jeff Fields; however, she didn’t have much of a relationship with them. Her stepmother Cleo Jean (Tennella) Parker, she loved and adored. She had a great relationship with her. Her father, Whalon, was an aggressive innovator, a revolutionary entrepreneur, and a 33 Degree Grand Masonic Commander in Colorado. He and Cleo were owners of the Masonic Lodge located on 34th Avenue in Denver. Whalon was a dedicated God-fearing Christian who sung in the choir and served as a trustee at the Cleaves CME Church for many years. Cleo was an Eastern Star Matron, member of the Electa Grand Chapter, a Mission Minded Missionary, and stewardess. Cleo untiringly rendered her service to the Cleaves CME Church. Cleo loved the Lord. Cleo also had numerous occupations in which she excelled. She worked as a shipbuilder welder, professional chef at the Wyatt’s Cafeteria, jeweler, and an insurance agent throughout her lifetime. Elizabeth was the older of two siblings, Sister Rosie Lee (Crowder) Hillis and Brother Jonathon “JP” Parker. Early Life Elizabeth was four years old when she started missing her sister. Her grandparents wanted them to grow up together. Rosie Lee joined Elizabeth when she was two years old. They both were raised by their grandparents. The grandparents were not aware of her brother John (name was changed from John to Jonathon after he grew up) otherwise, they would have tried to get him to come along. Sometime later, the grandparents took in three more grandchildren, Novella Heath, Leslie Kelley, and JT Valentine. The grandchildren were all younger than Elizabeth and Rosie Lee. The children were raised together in Naples, Texas on a large farm with many acres of land in which they all had to work. As a strong, fierce, steadfast, loving child Elizabeth had to work very hard. She was not given much childhood playtime; however, with unfailing cheerfulness, she found much pleasure in the simple things of life and in the joy of living. Education Whalon remained very instrumental in her life as he stayed engaged in her education. Under his teaching, she learned to read and write by age four and a half. He was always there to support his daughter Elizabeth in her education. He loved her, and he was always buying her something. When he bought something for her he would also buy Rosie Lee something. Whalon believed in helping people. Elizabeth and Rosie Lee would often argue about their daddies. Elizabeth said, “Rosie Lee would say that my daddy was her daddy. I would say, ‘Your daddy ain’t none of my daddy, because your mean old hateful daddy won’t pay me no attention, and he won’t help me with my school lessons or nothing.” Regardless, Whalon didn’t make a difference between them. Elizabeth’s (Madea) early years of schooling were at William Chapel School in Naples, Texas. Her grandparents had sold some of their property for this school to be built. Madea loved going to school because this allowed her to get an education and mostly get out of work. She had fun there. Elizabeth’s dream was to become a beautician. Her father, Whalon, wanted her to come live with him to offer her a better life. Madea would have more opportunities than picking cotton and working on the farm. Whalon wanted her to attend high school. Upon graduation, he wanted to send her to beauty school in Dallas, Texas. That thought soon dissolved because her strict grandmamma Katie and Whalon’s sister, Era, prevented this from ever happening. Elizabeth did not leave. She stayed and attended Mount Zion High School in Naples, Texas where she actively participated in sports. Madea played point guard and her sister, Rosie Lee, played forward on the varsity basketball team. Knowing a little something about the game Elizabeth said, “You know them forwards will run you to death, you got to be careful, because you can’t touch them, and if you do you will foul out. Playing basketball was rough. I was hit in the mouth and my front tooth eventually turned black; I had to get it pulled after I got grown.” Madea was also proud to be a Mount Zion head cheerleader, and she enjoyed creating ways to pump up the students in cheers. Elizabeth said, “One of my cheerleader’s sayings was ‘Chop it down and bring it down low,’ I call out my boys names and when they got to Joe I asked, ‘Do you know Joe Hillis?’ They replied, ‘Oh yeah, man!’ I asked, ‘What kind of Man?’ They would say, ‘He’s a tall man!’ I said, ‘Joe can handle that ball,’ and by the time I said that… Joe would throw the ball in the hoop. I would run out there on the court and ask ‘Are they going to win?’ They would holler, ‘Oh yeah, man, a whirl wind!’ We had so much fun at those games. Josephus ‘Joe’ Hillis ended up marrying my sister Rosie Lee. To their union they had ten children. I always reflected on the memories of those good times back then with all of my schoolmates and how times are so different now. I graduated from Mount Zion High School in Naples, Texas.” Holidays The holidays were joyfully celebrated. During Christmas, she and the family would get a Big Sucker and a barrel cracker. She said, “A barrel cracker was a big old brown cracker shaped like a barrel and they were mmm mmm GOOD!” She would lick on that sucker all day long. Her Grandmamma would bake cakes along with other unforgettable meat dishes. At mealtime her family all ate together. She never ate any meat late at night because her Grandmamma would say that it would keep her from studying. Elizabeth said, “Grandmamma and Papa would eat the meat, and for this reason I never did really care about having meat at mealtime.” Potlucks were a big thing back then, and when the church served food she would only eat the food that her Grandmamma had prepared. She didn’t like leftovers, and she certainly didn’t like eating other people’s food. Faith and Church Elizabeth grew up in a religious minded family. Her grandparents had previously sold some of their land to build the Williams Chapel School. After the school was built the community needed a church. Her grandparents again sold some of their property to build a community church. When the church was built they named it William Chapel Baptist Church. She would go to church in a wagon where they worshiped on Sunday morning. She was baptized at an early age and throughout her life she had a strong belief in God. Elizabeth didn’t get to spend much time with her mother, Arvilla, but described her mother as being very nice and having a beautiful personality. She and her sister favored their mother; however, she thought Rosie Lee favored her mother more because she had big pretty eyes and large dimples like their mother. During Sunday worship service at church she would see more of her mother, and she remembers church people fellowshipping at their home and staying for a long time. William Chapel Baptist Church is still currently striving and some of her family members, who remained in Naples, Texas, are still attending the church as of today. She learned how to worship, praise, dance, sing, and shout from the church. Regardless of denomination, she knew how to praise God no matter where she went. Stories Growing up Papa Elec was not much of a disciplinary but her Grandmamma Katie was. If she did something wrong her Grandmamma believed in whipping. She stated, “When it was time for me to get a whipping, I would run up into the loft. She would get tired of chasing me and I wouldn’t get a whipping. When I did get a whipping she would grab my dress and ring it. Then she would put my head in between those big legs and squeeze them together tightly on my little neck. She would whip your naked behind on that one side for so long you couldn’t feel it, and when you stopped hollering she knew she had deadened that side. Then she began to hit you on the other side. Oh, Lord Have Mercy! Once I tried to bite her on those big old legs and oh boy, did she feel it! I could not stand it so I just ran; however, my sister would stand there and take her whipping.” The only time her mother, Arvilla, whipped her was when her Grandmamma Katie went to church and Elizabeth was left alone with her mother. Elizabeth said, “My mother Arvilla insisted I call her mother and I said, ‘You ain’t my mother you are my Auntie!’ My sister Rosie Lee would say it because she knew that was her mamma. I’d say, ‘Mamma and Papa raised me up!’ I was so disrespectful that day. I got my behind whipped. I told off on her when Grandmamma got back.” Beside this incident Elizabeth loved her mother. Elizabeth was grown when Arvilla turned ill. She visited her mother, who resided with Rosie Lee, every opportunity she got and remained at her bedside along with her sister until Arvilla’s passing in 1948. Another story she shared was how her Great-grandpa, Robert “Bob” Walker, would come over to her grandparents’ house and talk about his past. He was a farmer and had a team of horses. Elizabeth said, “I will never forget Grandpa Bob. He didn’t have any teeth because he chewed them all up into his gums. He told me one time to stick my finger in his mouth. When I stuck my finger in his mouth he closed his mouth down on my fingers, and I started screaming and hollering. We both laughed about it. Grandpa Bob lived a long time. He passed away at age 105.” Elizabeth’s grandparents had some tough rules. She was never allowed to stay overnight with anyone, not even with her mother, aunties, or uncles. Her Grandmamma would tell her that two different people can’t raise a child. Grandmamma was much stricter than Papa. Eventually, Elizabeth grew tired of being under those strict rules and not having the freedom to go anywhere, so she wanted to escape, leave, and get married. Marital History The dream of leaving and getting married started at Mount Zion High School where she met her first husband Lawrence. He was passing through the hallway on his way to class when he spotted her. Elizabeth was sixteen years old when she married Lawrence Jones in 1940 in Naples Morris County, Texas. They were married at her grandparent’s house. Elizabeth and Lawrence were a happy young married couple trying to find their way in life. She stated, “We had four years into the marriage and were staying with his parents, Airy and Lola Jones. We already had JD, and I was six months pregnant with our second child when Lawrence enlisted as a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II in 1944. He wanted to make a better life for us. He knew that the children and I were going to be well taken care of. He felt very comfortable in joining the Army.” Lawrence was stationed at U.S. Army base Fort Riley in Kansas. Lawrence’s parents, Airy and Lola Jones, were very supportive of their marriage. His parents provided shelter for Elizabeth and the children while Lawrence was away in the Army. Elizabeth stated, “When Lawrence got out of line his parents and siblings took up for me. They were all crazy about me. They all loved me!” To this union, they had three precious sons: JD (1941), Bennie Lawrence (1944) and TC (1946). Things did not work out as planned. Her family was affected by him being in the Army and their marriage eventually dissolved. Elizabeth and Lawrence remained friends. Lawrence Jones passed in 2002. We, the family and America, salute this veteran for his commitment and service during World War ll. After Elizabeth and Lawrence separated, Elizabeth wanted a life away from the farm. She then set out to live in Dallas, Texas, where her father resided, in pursuit of a better life. During this time, she leaned on her Dallas family for help and support. She found a place on Colby Street in South Dallas, but she fell on hard times. Having no other options she called her father, Whalon, and stepmother, Cleo Jean Tennella Parker “Mother Cleo”, to ask them if they could keep her and the boys. They agreed to help. Elizabeth and the boys then joined them. Her parents did not share that her brother, John “JP” Parker, was staying with them. They wanted it to be a surprise, and a surprise it was. Elizabeth stated, “After getting settled with my father, Brother John and I went White Rocking in Daddy’s black Buick. White Rock Lake was a segregated area where Black people were not permitted; however, we went there anyway. When we got there, brother said, ‘We ain’t going to say White Rock Lake.’ I said, ‘Brother you know they don’t like Black people coming out here!’ Then John said, ‘Oh, I’m going out there alright!’ When we got down there the police saw us. ‘Did y’all see that sign out there? Do y’all see what it says?’ ‘Black Rock Lake!’ replied John. ‘It says White Rock Lake!’ the officer replied angrily. My brother tried to show out and said, ‘I don’t see a sign where it says White Rock Lake!’ I told John, ‘You better get your smart behind from down here! You don’t want to start no trouble cause these White folk they been and whipped your butt! Come on here before they do something to us, let’s go home.’ We both laughed on the way back.” Things began to look up and her life seemed to be nicely flowing… Love was in the air off Washington and Convent Street in North Dallas where she met her second husband Lobritha “Bill” Holland. Bill was staying with his cousin, John L. Holland, when he spotted her over a fence that divided the yards hanging out clothes on the clothesline. She said that Bill would come to the fence to try to talk to her and she would go in the house. She played hard to get at first, but eventually Bill won over her heart. She was 22 years old when she was united in marriage to Bill Holland in 1947 in Dallas, Texas. She called him “Sweetheart.” Together they had six wonderful children: Howard Clarence (1947), Mary Elizabeth (1949), Daisy Lee (1951), Norvella (1953), LaVerne “Lovely” (1954) and Estella “Doll” (1956). Additionally, she and Bill each brought children from their previous marriages to their marriages. After her children were born, she affectionately received the nickname “Madea.” This is a Southern term that is short for “Mother Dear.” To this day her nickname is used by her children, close friends, and relatives predominately more than her given birth name. Elizabeth’s children remember how supportive and loving she was, and remember how she always encouraged them to do and be their best. Elizabeth stated, “I would take my kids to other people’s houses, and I would put some snacks in my purse. I would say, ‘Now, when you get there, if they offer y’all something to eat you better not eat it.’ Some of those people would have cooked some delicious food and they would ask my children ‘Kids are y’all hungry?’ Their reply was ‘No, we are not hungry.’ My kids wouldn’t eat anything. That’s the way I raised them, and they are like that today.” “I had a hard time, but I raised my children the best I could and we made it […] That’s the reason they all love me. My children brought me joy and I enjoy and love them all. I’d pray ‘Lord, I love all my children. Bless them and heal them all for me.’ I loved all my stepchildren and the neighborhood kids too. I would take my kids and the neighbor’s kids down on the lake in Rhoads Terrace. We would sing, and I would have my bible with me. That is the reason a lot of the kids who lived in the projects called me “Madea.” Some people thought that they were my kids. They would all be singing and having a good time. I’d bring them home and put pallets on the floor and Sweetheart (Bill) would step over them. He would say, ‘I thought that you had enough kids, now you got some more kids here.’ I replied, ‘Oh yea, I just love children.” The marriage between Bill and Elizabeth soon eventually dissolved; however, they always remained good friends. Elizabeth said that she was done with marriages. She just wanted to do her best as a single mother and raise her children. The Lord saw fit that she needed a help mate and along came Ray, Elizabeth’s third husband. Elizabeth was living on Commodore Street in South Dallas when Ray spotted her on the porch. He didn’t know her name, so he desperately asked and searched through the telephone books calling everyone with that name. She later recalled him telling her that he was exhausted trying to get in touch with her, but he wasn’t going to give up. Days later he tried again, and this time he finally struck gold. That was how she met her third husband, Ray Robinson, over the phone. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II before discovering a love for trucks. After his tour of service ended he began driving an 18-wheeler tractor trailer. This was a job which he held for many years. They were married in 1961 in Dallas, Texas. Elizabeth called him “Honey” and he called her “Baby Doll.” To this union, they had no children, Honey was head over heels in love with her, and she reciprocated the same passionate love for him. Later on she and Ray raised grandson, Ricky Holland, as well. Elizabeth reminisced stating, “[Ray] loved to entertain and wanted the best for my children. He didn’t have any children of his own, but he loved and raised my children as if they were his own. My children loved him like a father, and they called him ‘Daddy Ray.’” Ray played the piano and organ. Everyone loved hearing him play. Ray was faithfully dedicated, and blissfully blessed her and the family for many years. Elizabeth and Ray remained married until his passing in 1981. After Ray’s death, Elizabeth’s children were all grown, and she had many grandchildren by this time. It was then that she met her fourth husband, Windom “Hollis” Harlan. The two met in South Dallas while she lived on Pilgrim Drive. She affectionately nicknamed Windom “Sweetie.” After a whirlwind romance the two married in 1984 in Dallas, Texas. Though filled with an abundance of love between them there were no children born to this union. Unfortunately, Elizabeth’s daughter Mary turned ill and passed away, so Elizabeth and Sweetie eventually decided to take on raising Mary’s daughter, Donneka Holland. The couple enjoyed their retirement years spending time relaxing and enjoying time with family and friends. Sweetie really enjoyed cooking while Elizabeth enjoyed eating the wonderful meals he’d prepare since cooking was not one of Elizabeth talents. Together they loved dancing, singing, entertaining, and talking. In later years, Elizabeth and Windom’s health started declining, which caused them both to require special care. Sadly, they had to separate and go live with their respective children who could care for each of them individually at their homes. They were married for 36 years until his passing in 2020. Occupational History Elizabeth’s occupational work outside of supporting her family included domestic work and housekeeping services. She worked various jobs all over the Dallas Metroplex area. Throughout the years she held jobs at Safeway (off Washington Street), The Paper House, the chicken house (cleaning chickens), cleaning white folks houses, the Dillon Place (cleaning), the Uptown Stanley Hilton (housekeeping), the Dolphin Hotel at 1914 Commerce Street (housekeeping), and her last job was at the Downtown Historic District Sheraton where she worked for many years. She stopped working at the age of 55 years old. Additionally, she worked as a cashier for her father Whalon and her Aunt Era who co-owned and operated a grocery store called Lomax. She also worked at her father’s owned and operated Monterey Café as a waitress. Both businesses were located off Bexar Street in South Dallas. As of today, the entire area has been demolished. Pleasures and Passions Elizabeth “Madea” was very talented as a great seamstress. She would make many of her children’s clothes. Madea took pride in interior decorating, and she always kept the house clean and looking gorgeous. She received several community awards for “Reclaiming the Future” from Vision of Hope Christian Counseling and Training Center, “Yard of the Month”, “Special Touch Volunteer Award” from the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department, and “Outstanding Participant” for the Rhodes Terrace Resident Council. She also loved to laugh, sing, dance, play cards, dominos and enjoyed entertaining family and friends. She was also a great makeup artist. She would put on her infamous very cherry red lipstick and red rouge/blush along with highlighting her eyes with an eyebrow pencil in which she could do blindfolded. This was her characteristic trademark as she religiously did this every morning. She enjoyed talking over the phone with her friends and family. Offering support or advice gave her great fulfillment. Although, she was not a member of any local church, Elizabeth “Madea” was a missionary in her own right. She was a beacon for the hurting and less fortunate. Her children remembered her always helping neighbors who were in need or hurting. Her love and kindness will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to have shared a part of her life. She had the ability to give you a tough word of advice that was respectful and straight to the point while still being given in a loving manner. To know her was to love her. Personal Care/Birthday’s/Location Her son, JD provided care assistance for many years until his death in 2013. Afterwards, her live-in grandchildren, Ricky and Donneka Holland, assisted her off and on for a brief period of time. As her health began to decline, her son, Howard, and his wife, Shelia, became her care giver. She also had a lot of support from other family members and neighborhood friends. After a lifetime of living in Texas (96 years), at the end of that summer of 2020 she decided to move. She made that move on August 21, 2020, to Denver, Colorado as her final journey to live with her daughter La Verne “Lovely” and her husband, Harold Hughes. They both became her full time primary caregivers. Before Madea planned to leave Dallas, Texas to move to Denver, Colorado Bill, who lived in a retirement community, requested that he see her. After all these years they were still the best of friends. Their daughter Lovely, son-in-law Harold and their great-grandson Aamaree “AJ” Kaka honored Bill’s request by transporting Elizabeth to Bill’s place of residence. After a brief fellowship together, Sweetheart (Bill) expressed that he was saddened that Madea had to leave, and he only wanted what was best for her. Sweetheart instructed her to behave. Bill wanted to come along too, but he expressed that it would have been too much of a burden. At that point he gave AJ and Lovely a great big hug and kiss. Then he gave Harold a warm hug and said, “I will be alright, I know y’all will take good care of her up there in Denver. Just take care of your mama.” To which Elizabeth replied, “Of course. God will take care of you also. Everything is going to be alright.” With that said Elizabeth got back into the SUV. Sweetheart then gave her a farewell kiss on the hand and they said their last farewell on August 19, 2020. They talked every day until the day Bill passed away at the age of 99 in 2021. On May 10, 2021 in Denver, Colorado while celebrating the 97th birthday of Madea, the family had the extreme pleasure and a now lasting memory of her doing what she loved, laughing with family, singing out loud to songs of old and new and watching Aamaree “AJ”, her great-grandson, dancing on the floor. Centurion Century Survivor As a centurion century survivor, she was blessed to witness much pain and suffering during the movement of this nation from the Great Depression, the Women’s Suffrage Movement, World Wars, Voters and Civil Rights, Segregation, Integration, and Jim Crow Discrimination. She witnessed history living through sixteen Presidents and the electing of the nation’s first Black President of the United States, Barak Obama, in 2008 where she proudly cast her ballot. She also became an officially registered Colorado voter where she traveled to the ballot box using her walker to submit her ballot for the 2020 Presidential election where she cast her ballot for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, she then became the first black female vice-president. Elizabeth is the seed and the root of four generations of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Though there are far too many to name she made sure to show her love to each and every one. Anyone who knew Elizabeth can also say that she came this far by faith leaning on the Lord… The final chapter of her book has now concluded, this was her life lived between the dash. Departed This Life/Roll Call Elizabeth Parker Jones Holland Robinson Harlan departed this life peacefully due to natural causes on March 8, 2022 at 1:05 pm in her daughter’s home at the age of 97 years old and 10 months. Her devoted and full time primary caregiver team; daughter LaVerne Hillig-Hughes and son–in-law Harold Hughes, her grandchildren Marissa Hillig-Kaka and Charles Hillig, Jr., and great grandson Aamaree “AJ” Kaka were at her bedside. She is now in the loving arms of God our Father. Elizabeth’s favorite greeting as she would say on the telephone, “How you doing and what you doing?” The next time we hear that phone call will be from a place where she now resides in heaven… “To be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord” … Madea would often say, “God will take care of me” … God provided her grace and a lifeline during her lifetime…This is her story as she transitions to glory…From the school room of life to no more pain, and strife… She’s a testimony for all to see a new life in eternity… “Don’t cry for me, the love I shared with you will always be” … Dance on until we can dance one day together again!!! Preceding Her in Death Elizabeth was preceded in death by: her father Jesse Whalon Parker (October 11, 1989), mother Arvilla Allen Walker (April 3, 1948); Stepmother Cleo Jean (Tennella) Parker (May 13, 2011); Grandparents: Alex Walker (December 16, 1957) and Katie Fronia Wilkerson-Walker (December 21, 1958); sister, Rosie Lee (Crowder) Hillis (March 23, 2015); brother, Jonathon “ JP” Parker (December 19, 2015); her former first husband, Lawrence Jones (July 28, 2002), her former second husband Lobritha “Bill“ Holland (June 4, 2021), her third husband Ray Robinson (September 6, 1981), and her fourth husband, Windom Harlan, Sr., (November 25, 2020); Sons: JD Jones (August 7, 2013) and Bennie Lawrence Jones (July 17, 2021); Daughters: Mary Elizabeth Holland Lane (February 12, 1998) and Daisy Lee Holland-Seals (March 24, 2009); two daughter-in-Laws, Christine “Brenda” Cleveland Jones (married to JD, deceased)and daughter-in-Law Marian Garrett Holland (July/1979), former wife to Howard; Four Son-in-Laws: Charles Edward Hodge, Sr. (November 21, 2010), former first husband to Daisy, deceased; Virgil Lee Seals Jr., (October 15, 2017), married to Daisy, deceased; Rayford Lee Chandler (August 4, 2009), married to Norvilla; and Trenton Lane (married to Mary, deceased). She leaves to cherish her memory Elizabeth’s departure leaves a tremendous feeling of loss for the family. She leaves to cherish her memory, Biological Children: Two Sons: TC (Beverly) Jones Hill of Ardmore, Oklahoma; Howard Clarence (Shelia) Holland of Dallas, Texas; Three Daughters: Norvella Chandler of Fort Worth, Texas; LaVerne Hillig-Hughes and (Harold) Hughes of Denver, Colorado; Estella (Jerry) Ford of Garland, Texas. Step Children: Bill (Sophia) Holland Jr., of St. Louis, Missouri; Estella Johnson of Terrell, Texas; Elnora Daniels of Dallas, Texas; Johnny Melvin (Regina) Holland of Florissant, Missouri; Leonard Holland of Berkley, Missouri; Elder Jerome (Janet) Holland Sr., of Terrell, Texas; Brenda Ayers of Forney, Texas; Raynoll (Williece) Holland , Carl Holland and Carol Holland of Terrell, Texas; Stanley Earl Holland and Jason (Holland) Edward of Dallas, Texas; Sandra Jackson, Joan Hudson and Gwendolyn Harlan-Franklin, Webster Ray Lusk of Richardson, Texas; Daughter-in-law: Terria Jones (married to Bennie, deceased); Daughter-in-love: Gracie Mae Johns Randall (mother of JD’s children); Son-in-law: Charles Edward Hillig, Sr., (ex-husband to LaVerne Hillig-Hughes), Live-in Care Assistance, grandchildren Ricky and Donneka Holland, a very special beloved and devoted niece Elnora Hart and cousin La Vera Heath; her godson Darmonica Alexander, a special friend Beryl “De De” Dunn and her pride and joy of 74 grandchildren, 121 great grandchildren, 49 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Obituary information was gathered and written by Daughter, LaVerne “Lovely” Hillig-Hughes from Oral History Interviews of her Mother, Elizabeth Harlan Precious Memories If Roses Grew In Heaven If roses grow in Heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for us, Place them in our mother Madea’s arms and tell her they’re from us. Tell her that we love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for a while. Because remembering her is easy, We do it every day, but there’s an ache within our heart that will never go away. You will forever remain in our hearts Madea Love Always and Forever, Your Children TC Howard Norvella LaVerne “Lovely” Estella “Doll” & JD Bennie Mary Daisy Acknowledgment The family of Mrs. Elizabeth Parker Jones Holland Robinson Harlan acknowledges with humble hearts, our appreciation for every expression of sympathy during this hour. You have shared your prayers, visits and calls and we shall be forever grateful. May God continue His blessings on each of you. ACTIVE PALLBEARERS (Grandchildren) Charles E. Hillig, Jr Jason Holland Lafayette Seals Ricky Holland Ja Marcus Ayers Cornelius Holland HONORARY PALLBEARERS TC Jones Hill Howard C. Holland Bill Holland Johnny Melvin Leonard Holland Raynoll Holland Carl Holland Stanley E. Holland Jason (Edward) Holland Jerry Ford Darmonica Alexander, godson INTERMENT FINAL RESTING PLACE and COMMITTAL SERVICE Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, Texas 75211 Received Personal Care From: Hawthorne & Pierce Funeral Home