On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, after a long illness, God, in His infinite wisdom, called home His child, Holly Arden Lynn. Holly was born on January 2, 1955, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Irvin and Annie Murl (Brady) Lynn. She was the youngest of three children. After her mother died when she was three, and her father when she was 16, her mother’s sister and father’s brother, LB and Reail (Brady) Lynn, helped care for Holly and her siblings.

Holly accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age as a member of Second New Hope Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, under the leadership of the late Reverend J. W. Allen. There, she enjoyed singing in the youth choir.

Holly attended Cleveland Public Schools. She went to John W. Raper Elementary School, Addison Junior High, and graduated from East High School in 1972. Holly graduated from Kent State University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in Occupational Therapy. She further enriched her education by receiving an M.Ed. in Education and a school counselor license, both from Cleveland State University.

Holly worked as an Occupational Therapist for a short time before realizing she could have a greater impact working with children. This led to a 27-year career in education. Holly taught at Riverside and Scranton Elementary Schools, where she served as a union representative and was an exceptional teacher. She often spent her personal money to educate students, and her classroom was always a vibrant and stimulating learning environment. She ended her career as a high school guidance counselor at Lincoln West High School in 2005 due to her illness. In addition to being an educator, Holly worked part-time for nearly 20 years as an administrator at Help Six Chimneys, a residential assistance and skill development program for disabled adults.

Holly’s love for children led her to become a foster and adoptive parent, providing a loving and enriching environment. She supported her aunt and uncle, who were also foster parents, by adopting and loving the family twins, Marcia and Brenda, whom she renamed after her parents, Anesha and Ieasha.

Holly enjoyed shopping, listening to oldies but goodies, dancing, watching movies, going out to dinner, and praising the Lord. Some treasured memories of Holly include her vast collection of elephants, playing the clarinet in the high school marching band, and caring for her cat, Huberta, whom she named after her brother.

Holly became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Omega Chapter in 1981. She believed in service to all mankind and demonstrated this throughout her life as a member of a sorority, work with youth in the church, and demonstrating excellence as an educator.

Holly had a quiet spirit with a heart of gold. She was a special friend to many and always lent a helping hand to those in need. Her gentleness and love for all will surely be missed.

Holly leaves to mourn her brother, Hubert Lynn; sister, Harriet “Cookie” Freeman (Marvin); sister/cousin, Evelyn Kirby (Kenneth); brother/cousin, Jacques Lynn Sr. (Gloria); two special cousin/nieces, Kammie Sullivan (Martin) and Susan Roebuck (Anthony); favorite cousin, Barbara Dunlap; longest and dearest friend, Beverly Dowdell; daughters, Anesha Polly Robinson (Terrance) and Iesha Holly Lynn; special foster son, Tywan Triplett and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.