Rose Elizabeth "Honey" Holly, 69, of Mechanicsville, MD died October 30, 2007 at St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD.

Born January 30, 1938 in Oakville, MD, she was the daughter of the late James Bernard Bankins and Annie Elizabeth (Young) Bankins.

She was educated at St. Joseph's Elementary School and went on to graduate as Valedictorian from Banneker High School in 1956. She was a devoted wife, marrying John Leroy Holly on November 7, 1959. The devoted couple was not blessed with children but her life was filled with the love of many nieces, nephews, god children and several great nieces and nephews.

She began her career as a teaching assistant at St. Joseph's Elementary School and known to many as Miss Rose. Subsequently she began a career with the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) and progressed to become a Director in the Office of the Executive Secretariat in the U.S. Department of Education. During her 30-year career, she worked under five Secretaries of Education and received numerous accolades, awards and certificates of appreciation. Following her retirement in 1994, she returned to her love for education and worked part time at Mechanicsville Elementary School until her death. There she was dearly loved by staff and students. Her devotion to the education of youth and to her church was manifest in the nearly 50 years of teaching religion classes at St. Joseph's Church. She particularly enjoyed preparing the "little ones" for their First Eucharist.

Since 1994, Rose was an active member of the St. Mary's County Chapter of Delicados a non-profit philanthropic community service organization involved with funding scholarships, women wellness, tutoring and mentoring youth and adoption of needed families and the elderly. She was also active in "Mary's Song" mentors program and volunteered and supported many other charities. She enjoyed bowling, traveling, and shopping with her sisters. She was inspiration and role model to many.

Rose leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved husband of 48 years, John Leroy Holly, sisters and brothers, Mary (Edward) Kennedy, J. Bernard (Corrine) Bankins, Joseph A. (Alice) Bankins, Agnes T. Bankins, Cecilia J. Bankins, Veronica M. Bankins, A. Bernadette Thomas, Gloria J. (Jerry) Fitzgerald, Thomas E. (Teresa) Bankins, J. Monique (Mark) Spencer and Joseph "Jody" (Linda) Bankins, lifelong friend, Mary C. Holt, and a host of other relatives and friends whose lives she lovingly touched. She was a devoted and caring aunt to many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Florine Bankins and her brother-in-law, William Thomas.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 3, 2007 from 8:30- 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Morganza, MD, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Reverend Keith Woods will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, MD.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, MD.