Oma Lee Holland, 103, of Durham, NC, passed away November 8, 2022.  She was born in Gates, NC, the daughter of the late Thomas Edward Parker and Mamie Bass Parker.  In 1940, Oma Lee graduated from Women's College in Greensboro, NC. She taught chemistry and biology in the North Carolina school system and coached a championship women's basketball team while teaching high school in Ahoskie, NC. Oma Lee has been a life long UNC Basketball fan and has been known to give Coach Roy Williams advice on occasion. Oma Lee married Howard Holland on September 15, 1944 and moved to the Washington DC area. During this time, she worked for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and was very proud of the work she did testing drugs.  Oma Lee and Howard moved to Alexandria, VA in 1950, where they raised their three children and where Oma Lee continued teaching chemistry, as a substitute, in the local high school.

Oma Lee was a strong Christian and very active in her church and community.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Alexandria VA, for more than 50 years and has participated in church activities at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community since moving there in 2006. Oma Lee was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.   She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Howard Causey Holland.  She was also predeceased by her daughter, Deborah H. Sweeney; sister, Miriam Jessica Parker; and her daughter-in-law, Susan Bartko Holland. Oma is survived by her children, Alan Holland of Blacksburg, Virginia; Jim Holland and wife, Jan, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; son-in-law, Frank Sweeney of Knoxville, Tennessee; and grandchildren / great grandchildren Chase Carlton Holland, wife Rachael and children, Max, Isabelle and Eli; Jaclyn Holland Limbrick and husband Daniel; and Emma Catherine Sweeney.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 15 , 2022 at 11 a.m. at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory with Rev. Michael D. Halley officiating.  Burial will follow at Holly Lawn Cemetery.  Friends may join the family for a time of visitation one hour prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home.  Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.