Polly Grasel Holland, age 74, of Ellenboro passed over into heaven Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Wendover Hospice House in Shelby.  She was born on April 5, 1951, in Honolulu, Hawaii and was a daughter of the late Peter and Lelia Appoline Corbin Grasel. 

Polly was a graduate of LSU where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She later earned her Education Degree at Garder-Webb University. She was a beloved middle school teacher in the Rutherford County School System, where she taught for 28 years. She was "That Teacher" the students absolutely adored.  Polly was the one that always took the time to listen to those children that had problems and needed someone to talk to, and she would do anything in her power to help them work through their situation.

In 1976, Polly and her Husband Gerry purchased an old farmhouse and 29 acres, tucked away at the end of a mile long gravel road, where they have resided ever since. Over the years, using Polly's design and decorative talents, the old farm house was transformed into a spacious home filled with warmth and love.....a gathering place for their three beautiful daughters and five grandchildren.

Polly loved to prepare and freeze her homemade vegetable soup made from the organic vegetables that Gerry grew.  She loved to cultivate the beds and surrounded the house with seas of colorful blooming flowers.  Her morning coffee was enjoyed while gazing at the native birds feeding from the many bird feeders, (that she made sure Gerry kept full)  hanging over her tall blooms smiling with excitement as the deer frolicked through.

Polly was a devoted Mother to 3 girls. Motherhood and Family were her 2 greatest successes in her life. She loved her family fiercely, never missing events, and rarely went even one day without talking to each of her girls. She was "ever-present."

Polly projected acceptance and love to everyone she met, and she was deeply loved by everyone she touched.

Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Gerry Holland of the home, her daughters, Heather Holland Novak and husband Adam of Spartanburg, Kami Holland of Matthews, NC, and Kristen Holland of Lyman, SC, her brother, Peter Corbin Grasel of Tallahassee, FL, and sisters, Pam Bordelon of Pensacola, FL, and Paula Grasel of St. Augustine, FL  There are also five beloved grandchildren, Ava McIntlyre, Aubrey Novak, Sidney Holland, Hudson Novak, and Lucas Fountain. Last but not least, her devoted companion and shadow, her golden doodle Basque, who never left her side and provided her constant comfort throughout her struggles.

The memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday February 21, 2026 at 1 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Forest City.  Visitation will follow the service in the church Parlor.  The Reverend Bill Roberts will officiate the service. 

In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to Wendover Hospice, 953 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, North Carolina 28150.

The Padgett and King Mortuary and Crematory is in charge.