Doris Vandal (Thompson) Holman

Our beloved Mama and Grandma, Dr. Reverend Doris Vandal Holman, Vandal, entered eternal life on Saturday morning, March 4, 2023. She is now reunited with her husband Nathan Holman, Sr, daughter Sarah Eleanor Holman Brown, sister Eli Thompson Ball, her parents Sarah Bell and John Thompson and her countless pets in heaven. Her spirit is carried on by her four living children and beloved grandchildren: Nathan (child Nathan III), John Reeves (wife Sarah, children Lydia (husband Joe Ford) and Marlena), Janet (husband John, children Lauren (husband Bryson Mitchell) and Sarah Bell), son-in-law Terrell Brown (child Trey Brown) and Cheryl Ann (children Crystal, Haley and Elijah).

Vandal’s life focused on truly seeing through love and her desire for learning insatiable. From the moment she arrived on this earth, she was filled with a great sense of curiosity, laughter and love of family, friends and particular her animals. She unveiled her passions with her family, friends and community at the kitchen table, her classroom, local hospital and on our family farm. As an educator, she reached beyond one’s boundaries through courageous teaching of geography, history, and technology into the lives of her many students. Her final work was as a Chaplain at Centra Southside Community Hospital where she could reach those in need during a crisis in the Emergency Department. Her nickname was “Chaplain Ativan” as she could ease a patient into complete calmness with the touch of her hand and words of love. Her sense of humor and true understanding of love, loss and pain helped her reach so many and she turned around the lives of others who were going down a path of suffrage.

Vandal knew and fulfilled her purpose here on earth fully. She truly believed creative expression is vital to express as what we do not express, we suppress. Creative expressions give outward expression bringing balance of perspective. Her love and talent as a Pianist and French Horn player provide Vandal a great sense of satisfaction and direction. For her, music was her instrument of healing for herself and others around her.

Vandal was a life-long educator who taught and showed others simple love and compassion can conquer all. She wrote a small memoir in her final years of her life in the form of V.I.P.’s (Vandal’s Important Points) where she conveys love, loss and laughter and how God’s purpose became her privilege. Just to share a few of her VIPs as we commensurate her life:

● Validate every child as often as possible.

● Remember the good stuff.

● When all else fails, laugh.

We love you Mama, Grandma, Mrs. Holman and Chaplain Holman, the source of courage and strength.

In Lieu of flowers, please donate to Heart of Virginia Free Clinic of Farmville, Va. https://www.freeclinicfarmville.com