Marcia, not all holly varieties have thorny serrated edges. My dahoon holly (no prickers) is covered in red clusters of berries but what you described isn't dahoon. Might be a real healthy Savannah holly..another big berry producer but then again, Savannah isn't exactly small glossy green leaves.
Maybe a dwarf burfordii holly? Glossy dark green leaves but not small like vinca minor.

Thanks for the suggestions, Dottie. I guess I'll start by Googling hollies. It was a beautiful tree--should have used my camera phone. Maybe on the way north for Christmas I'll find it again!
Marcia

Most of the Winterberry hollies keep their fruit throughout the winter. Birds will eat them but they are not their favorite so they tend to gobble them last.