Janie "Melita" Holland

Janie “Melita” Holland passed away on November 2, 2026, and is now “dancing with Jesus”, after an almost 6 year courageous battle with cancer and its side effects. Melita was a much-loved daughter, sister, niece, cousin, Aunt and friend. Melita loved life to its fullest, never needing “fancy”, even before she was stricken with cancer. As her health began to decline the last few months of her life, Melita gained comfort from those who visited her, called her, and those who sent “prayer” mail. She read every card/ note and they bought her great comfort; her “prayer mail.” It was always the “little things” for Melita that meant the most, like the drives she and her sister took weekly before she no longer could ride for great lengths. Melita savored every cone of Moose Track ice cream and the drives around the lake as if it was going to be her “last”; not to mention those Saturday visits with her Pastor, who was also a cherished friend. Melita loved a good “honey bun” almost to the end of her life.

Melita spent years traveling, even before she got sick, with her sister and sister-in-law, going to college football games, most notably the 2013 Notre Dame home football game, which was one of the coldest games in most recent history. Melita had on so many clothes; she couldn’t zip up her winter coat. There were many other trips to college bowl games throughout the years to the warmer climate of Florida. Melita attended women’s college basketball games, even getting to see some of the legendary coaches (Pat Summit, Geno Auriemma, Jody Conradt and Gail Goestenkors) during the 2003 Final Four in Atlanta, all the while, sharing her new-found knowledge of the MARTA with total strangers. There were trips to see the Atlanta Braves, touring the stadium and going on the field, along with trips to see the Baltimore Orioles play. Locally, there were always trips to see the Durham Bulls and Carolina Mudcats. There were also trips to plays; Melita loved “The Lion King” but the “Sound of Music” was her most favorite! Melita was included in concerts trips to see Alison Krauss, Mannheim Steamroller, Wynonna Judd, Garth Brooks, Elton John and lastly, Tonja Rose. Over the years, there were countless trips to the beach, which always involved fishing. On one rememberable fishing trip to the Gulf Stream, Melita along with Dee and “Doc”, pulled in 30 Mahi-Mahi themselves during that offshore trip. Melita also went on elongated trips to visit family in South Carolina multiple times a year. Melita cherished these trips to spend time with Pam, Jimmy, Mary, Clint/ Carrie, Aunt Barbara and the rest of the Holland family. Melita also couldn’t wait for Sundays to come around each week. Melita took time to view Clint/ Carrie’s church services from South Carolina, not to mention her own services online from Sardis. Each Sunday at 11:00a.m., although a Methodist by faith, Melita watched Dr. David Hailey, a local Baptist Minister from Raleigh with Hayes Barton Baptist Church, each Sunday on television. A major highlight of Melita’s last year was to travel to Raleigh with Dee and Doc to see Dr. Hailey preach one Sunday with Cousin Rita, who all joined Melita for the service and lunch afterwards. It was a special blessing to be able to meet with Dr. Hailey and his staff privately before the service. They often called to pray with Melita and sent cards of support. Anytime a trip was planned, Melita started packing weeks in advance and often slept very little the night before due to her excitement. Melita also treasured times spent with her loving brother Jay, along with his three sons, Sammy, Brent and Lawson. These four held a special place in Melita’s heart until the very end of her life. Those who loved Melita also knew “never” to call her Monday through Friday at 3:00p.m. She would not answer calls or text message and surely did not want any visitors for it was “General Hospital” that she valued for that hour each day. There were also hours of vegging on “Hallmark”, “Law and Order SVU”…”Dun Dun.” These memories, all were so much Melita and her true spirit.

Melita was born on February 1, 1959, in Kingstree, S.C. Due to her dad’s work, Melita spent most of her life growing up in rural South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, having spent the latter years of her life living close to her sister/ sister-in-law in La Crosse, VA.

Melita graduated from New Kent High School, New Kent, VA in 1977, where she lettered in both Track and Field (shot put and discus) and Varsity Softball. New Kent High School’s Trojan Mascot prompted the participation of its student body in Greek Groups. Melita participated in various Greek intermural activities throughout her high school years. She enjoyed playing intermural flag football and most may not know that Melita was very skilled at kicking field goals. Melita went on to attend Christopher Newport College, Newport News, VA, where her focus of study was Hospitality Management. Melita spent all her adult life working in the food service industry. Melita had been a Training Manager for Boddie-Noell Enterprises, Rocky Mount, NC, traveling to various parts of South-Central Virginia and North Central North Carolina, before she was stricken with cancer. Melita was also a member of Sardis United Methodist Church, La Crosse, VA.

Melita is survived by her sister, Dee Holland-Brock and sister-in-law, Wanda (Doc) Brock of La Crosse, VA, who spent the last 6 years providing care and support for Melita and including Melita in all aspects of their lives. Melita also leaves behind her Aunts Barbara Holland Scott and Pamela Phillips, her Uncle Jimmy Phillips of Kingstree, SC, countless dear cousins, her three nephews, Sammy (Caroline), Brent and Lawson Holland of Belhaven, NC, along with a few cherished friends. Melita is preceded in death by her parents, Furman and Janie (Polly) Holland and her beloved brother, Jay Holland. Melita loved all her family “to the Moon and Back.”

Dee and Wanda would like to especially thank the members of Sardis United Methodist Church and their Lay Supply Pastor, Catherine Berry, for their support, prayers and kindness shown upon Melita, especially in the last few years, months and days of her life. It is with their support, the final days didn’t seem so rough. Dee and Wanda would like to thank Wade Nelms, a longtime friend of Melita’s, for the countless visits he made to see Melita in the final weeks of her life, just talking and praying with her. Dee and Wanda would like to thank the staff of First Care at Home who provided daily support for Melita for several years in her home and were very attentive to her as Melita’s health began to decline. Lastly, a special thanks to the staff at James River Hospice as well as Chase City Health and Rehab for their ongoing support as Melita’s health began to fail in the final three weeks of her life. Melita was in great hands until the very end.

A “fellowship” meal in Melita’s memory will be provided to members of Sardis United Methodist Church by Dee and Wanda. A graveside service will also be held at the Belhaven Community Cemetery, Belhaven, NC, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Melita’s final handwritten wish was for donations to be made in her memory to Sardis United Methodist Church, c/o Ellen Webb, 759 Webb Road, La Crosse, VA 23950 in Melita’s memory.

Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home, Clarksville, VA, along with Paul Funeral Home, Belhaven, NC, will be assisting Dee and Wanda with final arrangements for Melita.