Bessie Lail Holland,

Bessie Joyce Lail Holland, age 80, of Taylorsville, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at Catawba Regional Hospice. She was born in Alexander County on May 21, 1933 to the late Gaither Lee and Etta Louise Harrison Lail. Bessie was a member of Shining Light Baptist Church and she was famous for her cooking, especially her chicken and dumplings. She also loved attending her grandchildren's activities. Bessie's most recent occupation was as a deli chef at Lowe's Supermarket in Bethlehem. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, James "Jim" Franklin Holland; granddaughter: Jamie M. Ester; brothers: Eugene "Gene" Lail, Donald "Don" Lail, and James "Jimmy" Lail; infant sisters: Linda Lail and Shelia Lail; sister-in-laws: Glenda Lail and Milladean "Sis" Craig; and brother-in-laws: Wayne Sebastian and Bill Travis and wife Carolyn. Those left to cherish her memory include son: Wayne Holland and wife Gaye; daughter: Peggy "Sissy" Ester and husband Vincent; grandchildren: Dana Brown and husband Dale, Denny Ester and wife Laura, Maria Hefner and husband Matthew, and Tyler Holland and wife Brittney; great grandchildren: Annie Allen, C. J. Ester, Emaline Ester, Colt Hefner, Charlie Holland, and one great granddaughter to arrive in July; brothers: Gary Lail and wife Brenda, Larry Lail, and Gwyn Lail and wife Teresa; sisters: Dorthy Fox and husband George, Doris Sebastian, and Cindy Lail and husband George; brother-in-law: Vance Holland and wife Ruth; sister-in-laws: Linda Lail and Debbie Lail; and a number of nieces and nephews along with her special friends in "The Ridgeway Gang".

The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 6, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Alexander Funeral Service. The service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Alexander Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Mike Cothren officiating. Burial will take place after the service at Fellowship Advent Christian Church in Bethlehem. Pallbearers include Dale Brown, Jeremy Brown, C. J. Ester, Denny Ester, Matthew Hefner, and Tyler Holland. Memorials may be made to Shining Light Baptist Church at 926 Black Oak Ridge Rd; Taylorsville, NC 28681.