Arla Stenseth Holroyd

Arla Stenseth Holroyd (Mrs. William E), 86, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, died on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. Born February 7, 1931, in Detroit, MI, she was reared in Rock Hill, SC. The daughter of Elise Hjorth Stenseth and Edwin John Stenseth, she was predeceased by her husband. She is survived by her son, John Grier Holroyd of Flat Rock, NC; her granddaughter, Jennifer Lynnette Holroyd; her grandson, William Christopher Holroyd; and her great-grandson, Devin James Player.

A graduate of Winthrop Training School and Winthrop College, Mrs. Holroyd began her teaching career in Charleston while her husband served in the Navy during the Korean War. After the war, she returned to Rock Hill, where she taught 7th, 8th, and 9th grade science at Richmond Drive Elementary School, Sullivan Jr. High, and Rawlinson Road Jr. High. She also taught at Winthrop College. Many of her students have remained extended family through the years. Arla was a most devoted teacher, touching the lives of students in ways far beyond the textbook. She reveled in the successes of all students and had a gift for recognizing and encouraging talents often overlooked by others.

Although she grew up Baptist, upon retirement Arla became a member of the revived French Huguenot Church of Charleston, where she was instrumental in starting the Sunday School for children. Arla loved her church! She invited those she met to "Come to our church," where she served as a docent. She often gave a tour of the church after Sunday services. Regularly, she chose a family from the tour and invited them to get in her 1980s Lincoln and go on a "Huguenot tour of Charleston."

In addition, Arla was a longtime supporter and friend of artists, writers, and the arts in general. She frequently opened her historic Mt. Pleasant home to painters and sculptors during Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. Authors and poets, including Poet Laureate of South Carolina - Grace Freeman - and several Low Country authors, sought her skills in critiquing and editing their works. In March 2008, an organ was donated to Mt. Zion AME Church in Charleston by Bennet Bozarth and dedicated in honor of Arla for the good works she did in the community.

Arla's passion for life included learning, teaching, swimming in the ocean, sitting by the harbor, reading, history, bargain shopping, all things Charleston and most especially dancing. She considered photography her ministry as she chronicled people and events prolifically. She had a gift for meeting people of all walks of life everywhere she went. Perhaps her greatest legacy is the connections she made between people that enriched the lives of many.

A gathering of friends will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2018, 1 - 3 PM at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Graveside Services will be held on Friday, February 2, 2018, at 2 PM at Forest Hills Cemetery, 4290 Old York Road in Rock Hill SC, conducted by Rev. Phillip Bryant.