Martha Ann Rice Holcomb

Martha Ann Rice Holcomb (82) passed away peacefully at home on August 19, 2021.  She was born in Toccoa, Ga. to Lola Mae and Roy D. Rice.  She was a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend and aunt.  Martha was a sweet, caring soul, affectionately known as Lollie to her family and friends.

Martha became a Radiologic Technologist and worked in Atlanta before moving to Gainesville.  She worked at Gainesville Hospital during which time she met Larry. When she had three children at home, she left the workforce and took on a more important role as Mom.

Martha was married to Larry for 61 years.  They were the best life partners imaginable.  The genuine love and respect they had for each other was apparent every day. Their partnership extended to friends, family and business.  They were a dynamic force together and an inspiration for many.

In contrast to her early life, Martha created a warm, stable, nurturing and loving home for her family.  She and Larry raised children with strong values of love, respect, intentionality, gratitude, forgiveness, kindness and adaptability instilled in each of them.  So much of her lives on in each of her children and grandchildren.

Martha did not simply meet people, she had a way of connecting with people.  As friends say, Martha created ties that bind.  She was always there for you, she always showed up.  Everyone else came first in her world.  Many commented on how they could not recall a single moment of being angry or aggravated with Martha.  She knew what to do and when to do it for each situation.  She was the friend everyone should be blessed to have in their life.

Martha was a lady of action.  She would observe and act rather than ask how she could help.  Her ability to see a need, step in and make a difference is a legacy she shared by example time and time again.  Nothing Martha did was ever designated as a have-to do.  For her, it was always a want to do and she would do it with love, compassion and grace. 

The title of Mrs. Hospitality only begins to define how gracious and generous Martha was to others.  Her ability to put an event together was extraordinary. She simply made it happen.  Everything she did, including how she presented herself, was with class.  She had a saying: “If you act as good as you look, you will be OK”.  A statement she exemplified daily with her actions and her appearance.

Her laugh was contagious and infectious.  That laugh served as a bandaid in bad times and as a source of joy in the good times. It often accompanied a twinkle in her eye - some say mischievous, others say sheer happiness - regardless it was a trademark of her joy.  It was routine that she infused humor and candor into a scenario with a clever comment to accompany the twinkle or the laugh.  All of these traits simply endeared her to you more.

She will be missed for many things:  her spunk, her kindness, her generosity, her beauty, her energy, her humor, her authenticity and her unwavering devotion and dedication to those she loved.

She longest lives, who most to others gives, herself forgetting.

Predeceased by her husband, Larry Lee Holcomb, her parents Lola Mae and Roy D. Rice, her half-brother David Rice and daughter in law, Niki Holcomb; she is survived by her daughters Donna (Joseph) Hickey, Connie Ambrose and her son, Bill Holcomb; grandchildren, Brady and Camille Holcomb, Brycen Ambrose; brother Joe (Eleanor) Rice; half-brothers Mike (Owen) Rice, Keith Rice and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lakewood Baptist Church, 2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30501, or Thumbs Up Mission (thumbsupmission.org), P.O. Box 2697, Gainesville, Georgia 30503.

Funeral services will be held Saturday August 28, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at Lakewood Baptist Church.  Dr. Tom Smiley and Dr. Tyler Smiley will officiate.  The family will receive friends at the church after the service.  A private family entombment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery/ Lakeside Mausoleum.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.