Thomasville community rallies behind resident with late-stage cancer

THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WALB) - Neighbors in Thomas County are coming together for one of their own who’s fighting late-stage lung cancer.

60-year-old Susan Holland is known in Thomasville for her karaoke business and for her huge heart.

The community of Thomasville is coming together to support a person who is known for her karaoke business and her charitable organizations in the community. Susan now needs the community’s help.

“I was just riding by, and I saw they were doing a benefit, and I needed lunch, so I just wanted to help them out,” a resident said.

Susan Holland is a loved figure in the Thomas County community. For over 20 years, Holland has shared her love for music throughout South Georgia with her business, Southern Karaoke, and has coordinated many charitable events.

“Very sweet person, very giving, very nice person that this has come upon,” said William Glass, an Ochlocknee Business Owner.

“Everybody just loves her, she’s always the first person to get something together to help. She’s normally the person coordinating these types of fundraisers and a lot of times she’d turn it into a karaoke contest,” said Robin Leach, the sister of Susan.

“She in the past has helped people that didn’t have clothing get clothing, didn’t have meals, get meals,” said Royce Stevens, Thomasville resident.

“She has helped so many other people so I thought it would be really nice if we could help her,” said Jamie Truitt, Organizer of the Luncheon.

Holland now has stage four lung cancer and is currently at home as she continues to fight her sickness. Residents in Thomasville say it’s second nature to help someone who always helps others. Holland’s impact doesn’t stop in Thomasville, it extends throughout Thomas County.

“Before she got sick, she did such a great job with people in the community, helping people in the community with their needs and now that she has a need, we just thought we should come out and support,” Stevens said.

“We’re going to do another benefit out at the men’s cookout club in Ochlocknee, we gone sell raffle tickets and then have a big cookout and everything that gets donated in that deal goes to Susan,” Glass said.

Many people are buying tickets, driving by, popping in and just making donations, but all-in-all the community has this message for Susan.

“We’re praying for you,” Stevens said.

“Just put your faith in God, pray and trust in The Lord and He will heal you.” said Angela Bass, a Cairo resident.

“Keep fighting girl! Keep fighting you got this, you’ll get through it,” said Latessa Salter, Thomasville resident.

This luncheon will go on until 7 p.m., so you still have some time to get out to the front of Food Lion on 1414 E. Jackson Street in Thomasville.

The food that’s left over will be donated to the Thomasville Street Feed so it’s another example of one organization helping another.

Residents say they have no problem helping someone with a big heart in her time of need and send lots of love and encouragement to Susan.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page that you can donate to. To find it, click here.

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