Mary Martha Hollandsworth

Mary Martha Hollandsworth, age 87 of Bland, passed away Friday, July 15, 2016 at Gasconade Manor Nursing Facility in Owensville.

Mary was born on March, 10, 1929, in rural Gasconade County, a daughter to the late Peter D. and Rosa C. (Redden) Leach.

On July 19, 1944, she was united in marriage to Harvey Hollandsworth in Washington, MO. He preceded her in death on February 9, 1996.

Mary and Harvey settled down in Bland, after many years of traveling with Harvey as he worked as a Logger. No matter where the family ended up, Mary always made it a priority to have the house feel like a home almost immediately. Although she did work as a shrimp picker in Oregon and at the Brown Shoe Factory in Bland, she spent most of her time as a homemaker. Mary made incredible white bread and fried chicken. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidering, sewing, taking walks, gardening and canning her own vegetables. Mary loved spending time with her family, grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren.

Mary is survived by: one daughter, Sandra Arnold and her husband Marvin of Owensville; one brother, Clyde Leach of St. Louis; eight grandchildren, Mark Melzer and his wife Karen of Keiger, OR, Christopher Melzer and his wife Rikae of Belle, Alsea Padgett and her husband Adam of Belle, Ginger Wilkerson of Iowa, Ruby Forsce of Owensville, Jessica Strebeck and her husband Zach of Bland, Trina Kale of Rolla, and Tina Hollandsworth of Oregon; 23 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren as well as many extended family members and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by; one son, Allen (Rocky) W. Hollandsworth; one granddaughter, Michelle Hollandsworth, and six siblings, Goldie Posey, Zelma Adams, Mildred Price, Edgar Leach, Wesley Leach, Elaine Matthews, and an infant brother, Louis Leach.

Memorial Services for Mary will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Bland Christian Church with Pastor Bruce Elmore offciating.