Mary Jane Eaves Holley
May 10, 1941 — November 7, 2014
Mary Jane Eaves Holley, 73, passed away on November 7, 2014, while surrounded by loving family members and close friends. She was born in the city of Mayfield to a prominent pioneer family of Kentucky . She is predeceased by William McNary Eaves (Father), Mary Elizabeth Entenza Eaves (Mother), Viola Giles Eaves (Step Mother) and “Poppa” George Hulon Giles (Step Grandfather). During her childhood she spent many summers in Jacksonville, FL with family members (predeceased) Aunt Pauline Entenza Ball (Hodgson), Uncle Thomas Manuel Entenza (Virginia) and Louise Cauthen Entenza (Grandmother) who were descended from some of the earliest established families of Northeast Florida.
She graduated from Mayfield High School in 1959. Thereafter, she graduated from Georgetown College in Kentucky and was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. She performed graduate work at the University of Mississippi. After moving to Jacksonville, she followed a family tradition of public service by working as a Middle School English teacher for 32 years with the Duval County School System where she taught at Lakeshore Jr. High, Jeb Stuart Jr. High, John Gorrie Jr. High, and Highlands Middle School. She was a member of the Garden Club of Jacksonville Della Robbia Garden Circle and was an active member of Riverside Baptist Church. Later she joined the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd where she was a member for several years. She was a resident of Ortega Forest for almost 50 years.
Mary Jane was a practical woman who was generous to a fault and cherished her independence. Over the years she had good friends and enjoyed travelling and spending time at the beach. She always gave great advice, generous gifts, and was an expert in hosting birthday parties for children. She was an exceptional grandmother who organized many activities and numerous adventures with her grandchildren, Charlotte and Jennifer. She understood the hardships that life can bring and the sacrifices that have to be made to ensure long term prosperity. She leaves behind two dedicated sons who she adored more than life, Judge William Raymond Holley (Jacqueline) & Mark Eaves Holley (Ivy), one step brother, Benjamin Garret Watkins (Jodi) and two first cousins Tommy Entenza (Jane) and Virginia “Dee” Keller (Jim). She also leaves behind four Grandchildren who were the center of her world. There will be a private family memorial service held in her honor. She will ultimately rest in Kentucky with her father who she missed dearly to the day of her death.
She graduated from Mayfield High School in 1959. Thereafter, she graduated from Georgetown College in Kentucky and was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. She performed graduate work at the University of Mississippi. After moving to Jacksonville, she followed a family tradition of public service by working as a Middle School English teacher for 32 years with the Duval County School System where she taught at Lakeshore Jr. High, Jeb Stuart Jr. High, John Gorrie Jr. High, and Highlands Middle School. She was a member of the Garden Club of Jacksonville Della Robbia Garden Circle and was an active member of Riverside Baptist Church. Later she joined the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd where she was a member for several years. She was a resident of Ortega Forest for almost 50 years.
Mary Jane was a practical woman who was generous to a fault and cherished her independence. Over the years she had good friends and enjoyed travelling and spending time at the beach. She always gave great advice, generous gifts, and was an expert in hosting birthday parties for children. She was an exceptional grandmother who organized many activities and numerous adventures with her grandchildren, Charlotte and Jennifer. She understood the hardships that life can bring and the sacrifices that have to be made to ensure long term prosperity. She leaves behind two dedicated sons who she adored more than life, Judge William Raymond Holley (Jacqueline) & Mark Eaves Holley (Ivy), one step brother, Benjamin Garret Watkins (Jodi) and two first cousins Tommy Entenza (Jane) and Virginia “Dee” Keller (Jim). She also leaves behind four Grandchildren who were the center of her world. There will be a private family memorial service held in her honor. She will ultimately rest in Kentucky with her father who she missed dearly to the day of her death.
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