Jerry and Linda Butler

The News Leader, Parsons, TN, September 10, 1997

The Story of Mallie & Her Great-Grandaughter

In Fort Myers, Florida, at 13251 McGregor Boulevard, there is a very special ladies' boutique! This, in itself, may not seem unusual, but the story about this place, how it came to be, and how it was named, is most unusual.

Mallie Montgomery was born in Decatur County to Robert (Bob) and Martha Montgomery on January 11, 1886.

She grew up here, married Fonnie Holland in 1902. To this union, 13 children were born. Mallie and her family moved to Caruthersville, Missouri in 1933. She died there in 1939, and her body was brought back to Decatur County for burial in the Wylie Cemetery in Bath Springs, where her father and mother are buried.

However, of the 13 children, only one son and two daughters still survive. They are J. M. Holland of Caruthersville, Missouri, Geneva Parrot and Maurine Holland, who both live in Steele, Missouri.

J. M. and his wife, Helen, have two sons, Bobby Holland and Earl Holland, who was named for Earl Funderburk of Bath Springs. Mallie Montgomery was Earl Funderburk's grandmother. His mother, Vera Holland Funderburk was her daughter.

Earl Holland and his wife, Marge Holland, live in Fort Myers, Florida. Their daughter, Heather Holland, is Mallie Montgomery's great-granddaughter. She graduated from Oxford University in Mississippi in 1992. She then had the idea of opening a boutique, after hearing about her great-grandmother. She saw an old picture of Mallie that someone had, and after having it restored, there was no stopping Heather!

As one walks in the doorway of the boutique, one sees an inlaid marble plaque in the floor which reads "Mallie Montgomery's." Her picture hangs on the back wall where it can be seen as one walks into the boutique!

This is a very lovely shop, and is a wonderful way for a great-granddaughter to honor the memory of her great-grandmother!