Robert Shields Holland

HOLLAND, ROBERT SHIELDS - age 68 of Knoxville. Preceded in death by his parents, Anna Margaret Ivens Holland and David Shields Holland. He is survived by his wife, Mary Shields Holland, their children John Michael Holland and wife Donna, and grandson Johnathan Alexander Holland, daughter Shannon M. Holland, and his brother J. Terry Holland and wife Linda. Mr. Holland was born in Knoxville and graduated from East High in 1962, where he lettered in basketball. He was an avid sports fan, and played basketball at Hiwassee College, where he received his Associate's Degree, and then earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in History from East Tennessee State University, and his J.D. from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at Memphis State University. Mr. Holland began his career teaching history, and coaching basketball and cross-country. While coaching in Atlanta, he fielded the Georgia State Cross-Country Championship Team. In Memphis, his basketball teams achieved three Memphis City Basketball Championships in five years. After earning his J.D. degree, Mr. Holland embarked on a second career, returning to Knoxville in 1980 and beginning his law practice with his brother Terry, and their mentor, longtime Knoxville attorney Francis Headman. He and his daughter Shannon later entered law practice together. Mr. Holland was a staunch defender of individual rights, and a member of the Bars of the Tennessee Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Holland was also a member of the Knoxville Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society. He is remembered as a man who did not accept things at face value, and highly valued individual liberties. In addition to being a longtime supporter of the Tennessee basketball program, Mr. Holland was also an avid music lover, enjoying 60's beach music, classical music, Motown, rock n' roll, and the opera. The family will receive friends at Bearden United Methodist Church, at 4407 Sutherland Avenue in Knoxville, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 23, 2012. A funeral service officiated by the Rev. Michael G. Sluder will immediately follow. Interment will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Middle Creek Cemetery, 1828 Middle Creek Road, in Sevierville. The family appreciates flowers, but if preferred, donations may be made to the M.J. Ivens Memorial Scholarship, named to honor Mr. Holland's grandfather, at 225 Hiwassee College Drive Madisonville, Tennessee 37354, or to Historic Middle Creek United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1828 Middle Creek Road, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com

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Robert Shields Holland

July 20, 2012