Notes for: Pearl G. Hollandsworth
Mr. Hollandsworth was born in Webster County and later moved with his family to Richwood, WV. As a youth, near tragedy struck when he lost his right leg and severely injured his left hip in an accident, forcing him to be hospitalized for three and one-half years. Remaining out of school for several years, he returned to school and quickly completed eighth grade and the first year of high school the same year.
During the next three years, P.G. walked to a two-room schoolhouse, built a fire and swept the building before continuing on to pursue his studies in high school. The checks P.G. received for his work with the school district -- nine dollars a month -- were saved, and with twenty-seven checks in hand, he traveled to Clarksburg, where he attended the Clarksburg Business College.
Mr. Hollandsworth, better known as "P.G." or "Holly," worked for over twenty-five years as office manager, secretary and sales representative for Merrells Inc. before becoming a sales representative for Josten's Inc. in Minneapolis, MN. Mr. Hollandsworth retired after forty-three years of dedicated service in business.
His early days of work required many miles of travel and took him over dirt roads that were quite impassable during the winter months. At times, he had to secure a horse and wagon to get to his destination. He traveled all over West Virginia, as well as parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Through the years, P.G. was active in the Clarksburg Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, finance chair, chair of the Clarksburg Cabin Committee for the WV Baptist Camp and was a long-standing teacher of the Peters Brotherhood Bible Class. Mr. Hollandsworth was an active supporter of the United Way, the Community Mission of Clarksburg, the YMCA, the Nutter Fort Lions Club and the Senior Citizens of Harrison County.
Although he never graduated from college, P.G. Hollandsworth has actively supported Alderson-Broaddus College and Salem College. On the campus of Alderson-Broaddus College in June of 1983, Mr. Hollandsworth was awarded the University of Hard Knocks' diploma by Honorable Jennings Randolph and Dr. Richard Shearer. In 1973, Salem College honored Mr. Hollandsworth as its First Honorary Alumnus.
Known for his generosity and affable nature, P.G. loved to garden and then share his harvest with family, friends and neighbors. His annual corn roasts are remembered by many who came from near and far to enjoy the feast of his harvest. His self-determination and disciplined life provided the pathway for his success. He will be remembered by many as living an amazing life.