Nell Louise Akins Holland

Mrs. Nell Louise Akins Holland, 85, passed away Friday, February 8, 2008, in Biloxi, MS. Mrs. Holland was born in Howison, MS, and resided in Biloxi for over eighty years. From 1943 - 1960 she worked for the Army Air Corps Engineers while the Corps was overseeing construction of Keesler Air Force Base. From 1961 - 1974 she worked in the Transportation Division at Keesler. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mrs. Holland was a member of Nativity B.V.M. Catholic Cathedral, a past member of Les Masques Carnival Association and the Biloxi Yacht Club. She was a great patron of the arts and dearly loved attending local community theatre productions. Mrs. Holland was preceded in death by her husband, Bertram Holland, Jr.; her parents, Guilford Leroy Akins and Bertie Eugenia Nelson Akins; a sister, Jean Saucier, and a brother, G.L. Akins, Jr. She is survived by a daughter, Leslie Johnson; a son, Bertram Holland, III; a grandson, Donald R. Johnson, Jr.; a granddaughter, Amber Johnson Mills and her husband, Donn, and the light of her life, her great-grandson, Carter Harloe Mills. In addition she leaves behind many extended family members and friends. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the loving care and concern shown by the physicians, staff and volunteers at Biloxi Regional Medical Center. A very special thank you to Dr. Regina Mills who lovingly cared for Mrs. Holland for many years as her physician and her friend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, February 12, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Nativity B. V. M. Catholic Cathedral where friends may visit from 9 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery. In honor of her grandson, Donald Johnson, donations may be made to the Mississippi Centers for Autism & Related Developmental Disabilities, P.O. Box 189, Ocean Springs, MS 39566. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Ave., in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.