Nerle Holland aged 89
(November 1, 1932-October 2, 2021)
Nerle Eugene Holland was born November 1, 1932, in a small house in Willacoochee, Georgia. He was the fifth of the six children of Vivian and Mae Bell Kilgore Holland. A man of few words and with a most unusual name, Nerle lived his life as he saw fit and followed the beat of his own drum. He believed in using humor in many of life’s situations and regaling stories from the past with friends and family alike. He loved the history of the island and enjoyed collecting photographs and memorabilia and sharing them with others. Nerle moved to Fernandina with his family in 1941 and graduated with the Fernandina High class of 1951 and was the quarterback of the high school football team. He married his high school sweetheart; Grace Earl Beckham on April 4, 1952, and had a beautiful marriage filled with memories, laughter, and love over the past 69 years.
He was drafted into the United States Army in 1954 and served until 1956 as a Private First-Class paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne stationed at Fort Bragg, NC and was awarded the badge of first marksman. After his time in the service, Nerle spent many days seining for fish on the south end of the island with his family and gathered for a fish fry afterwards at the family home. In his lifetime, Nerle was a member of the Fernandina Jaycees and a spent most of his lifetime working for and consequently retiring from ITT Rayonier as the machine room superintendent. Along with his duties at Rayonier, he also began Nassau Fence Sales. Nerle will be remembered by loved ones as a hard-worker and was a devoted husband and father.
A man of many talents and an avid tinkerer of anything he could break apart and rebuild, Nerle impressed his family and friends with the many inventions that he would create which included a beloved game that is still played to this day at family gatherings. A lifelong Florida Gators fan he delighted in the rivalry between other family members. He was baptized in the faith at First Baptist Church as remained a lifelong member.
Nerle was predeceased by his parents Mae Bell Holland-Greenwood and Vivian Holland, his brothers Wilford and James Holland, his sisters Lottie Holland Ford and Evelyn Holland Shaw and his son Bradley.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Grace Earl Beckham Holland of Fernandina Beach, and daughters Diane (Mark) Jones of Napoleonville, LA., and Trish (Bill) Lute of Summerville, SC and one brother Burnell (Betty Jo) Holland of Fernandina Beach. Among those who will carry on his legacy are his grandchildren Palmer (Marissa) Holland of Fort Worth, Texas, Tyler (Jessica Morris) Holland of St. Cloud, FL., Miles Holland of Atlanta, GA., Amanda (Brian) Reeder of Yulee and Alena and Emily Lute of Summerville, SC. He was also blessed with four great grandchildren: Adalyn Holland, Mitchell and Stevie Drew Holland and Hailey Reeder. As well as a host of many extended family members and loved ones.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in his honor.

Graveside services will be held at Bosque-Bello Cemetery at 11:00 am Thursday morning, October 7, 2021 and the family will receive friends and loved ones for a reception in the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church afterwards.

Please follow COVID guidelines when paying respects to the family.