Dr. Holice Odell Gilliland, Jr., born May 27, 1954, and passed away May 15, 2026. Married for 34 years to Reneta Ross Gilliland.
Survived by his wife, Reneta; his son, Steven Halbert (Ali) of Franklin, Tennessee; his granddaughters, Mila and Palmer Halbert; sister, Janie Cogbill of Halls, Tennessee; sisters-in-law, Rosalyn Ross Kennedy (Jim) and Betina Ross; brothers-in-law, Randy Ross and Rick Ross; nieces, Holly Park (PJ), Caroline Ross, Anna Maria von Malottky (Alex), Megan Ross, McKenzie Buchanon (Geoff), Claire Kennedy; nephews, Preston Ross (Stephanie) and Zack Kennedy.
He is preceded in death by his father, Holice Odell Gilliland Sr. and his mother, Margaret Williams Gilliland.
Holice was raised in Halls, Tennessee, and graduated from Halls High School in 1973. Holice attended UT-Martin before transferring to his beloved University of Mississippi. Holice earned 4 degrees from Ole Miss, including his Bachelor of Arts in Education, his Master of Education, his Education Specialists degree, and his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education.
Holice moved to Brentwood, Tennessee, in 1986 and began his 37-year teaching career in the Social Studies department of Brentwood High School. He is lovingly known as “Dr. G” to countless faculty and alumni. He retired in 2020 and started his new life as “Pop Pop,” embracing his roles as family patriarch and proud grandfather. He was a member of Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7 of Franklin, Tennessee for 48 years. He was also a member of the Sam Davis Camp of the SCV in Brentwood, Tennessee. Holice’s love for teaching and learning, appreciation of a slow-paced lifestyle, and grand personality endeared him to all who met him.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, at Brentwood United Methodist Church, with the funeral following at 3 p.m. A family graveside service will be held May 20 at Providence Cemetery near Jackson, Tennessee. Serving as pallbearers will be Steven Halbert, Anthony Troiano, Kenny O’Neal, Dennis King, Patrick John Park, Jim Caldwell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Social Studies Department of Brentwood High School, Dr. Bob Graham.
The family requests that contributions may be made to the Caring Ministries of Brentwood United Methodist Church, 309 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN, 37027.
In honor of Dr. G’s love for Ole Miss. the family encourages guests to wear Game Day colors of navy, powder blue, red or white.
To leave a condolence or to share a memory of Holice, please visit the Tribute Wall. https://www.austinfuneralservice.com
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