Holly Dodson Speight, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2026, at her home on Pine Lake, surrounded by the love of her family following a brief illness.

Born on January 14, 1956, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Holly’s lifelong love affair with the Volunteer State began at birth. She spent the first five years of her life on the University of Tennessee Agricultural Farm in Knoxville, where her appreciation for Tennessee’s beauty, traditions, and people first took root.

Holly later grew up in Franklin, Indiana, before moving to Henderson, Tennessee, during her freshman year of high school. She attended Chester County High School, where she quickly became involved in student life as captain of the cheerleading squad, class officer, and Homecoming Queen. She graduated with the Class of 1974.

A proud Volunteer, Holly attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she earned a degree in History and was an active member of Kappa Delta Sorority. She cherished her years on campus, especially attending football games and enjoying the many friendships and experiences that defined her college years. Later, Holly followed her calling into healthcare and enrolled at Union University, earning her Nursing degree in 1984.

She began her nursing career at Regional Hospital in Jackson, where she met the love of her life, Brad Speight. Holly went on to serve as a neuro-cardiac nurse at Saint Thomas Hospital and was honored to be a member of the medical team involved in Saint Thomas Hospital’s first heart transplant, a milestone she remained proud of throughout her career.

On August 13, 1988, Holly married Brad Speight at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville. Together, they began building their life together. In December of 1999, Holly and Brad embarked on a new adventure when they moved to Seaside, Florida. They often shared fond memories of welcoming the new millennium together there, ringing in the year 2000 in the charming coastal community they would come to love. During their years in Florida, Holly and Brad owned several businesses, built lasting friendships, and created treasured memories. In 2023, they came full circle, returning to West Tennessee to retire nearer to family.

Those who knew Holly will remember her warm heart, infectious enthusiasm, unwavering loyalty, and deep love for Tennessee. Whether cheering on the Volunteers, caring for her patients, welcoming customers into her stores, or spending time with family and friends, Holly approached life with grace, kindness, and purpose.

Above all, Holly was deeply spiritual and faithful with a firm conviction in something much greater than herself. She believed she was a spiritual being living a brief but precious time in this earthly existence. She never took that gift for granted. That same steadfast faith provided assurance and calmness to her family as she peacefully transitioned from this earthly life into the presence of her Lord following her brief illness.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Dodson and Dorothy Archer Dodson.

Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband of 37 years, Brad Speight; her sister, Leslie (Jeff) Hunt; nieces, Brooke (Tyler) Welch, Beth (John Mark) Powell, and Anna (Jackson) Keltner; nephews, Andrew Hunt and Max Speight; great-nephews, Jackson and Beckett Welch, Wyatt Powell, and Hendrix Hunt; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jeff and Joyce Speight; her mother-in-law, Treva Speight; and a host of extended family members, dear friends, former colleagues, and all whose lives were touched by her kindness and care.

Holly’s life was a beautiful reflection of service, devotion, and love. She was a proud Tennessean, a dedicated nurse, a successful business owner, a beloved wife, beloved aunt, and devoted friend to so many. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched through her compassion, generosity, quiet faith, and steadfast love.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Henderson, Tennessee, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will immediately follow at 5:00 p.m.

She will be forever loved, forever remembered, and forever missed.