Virginia Holland

Virginia Etta Henkel Holland, born December 22, 1923 in Orlando, Florida, lived her life as a grand lady – energetic, faithful, and fiercely independent. She passed from this life into the next on Sunday afternoon, June 3, 2012.

Born to Myrta Duncan and Alphaeus Henkel, Virginia spent her childhood in Winter Park, Florida where, after World War II, she met and then married Capt. I. J. Chase Holland, Jr. on February 9, 1946. Moving to San Angelo, his hometown, she wholeheartedly adopted Texas and its arid, non-Florida climate, much to the amazement of her mother. Virginia involved herself in a variety of community projects, her most intense as a member of the Young Women’s Service League, working to charter it into the Junior League of San Angelo. Being a mother to two sons, working at Holland Jewelry, and pursuing civic and church related activities, Virginia wove a rich tapestry of commitment to family and friends, loving to travel and experience adventure.

Upon the untimely death of Chase Holland in 1968, she valiantly assumed the helm of the family business where she aggressively pursued her career with the same excellence that she applied to her personal and family life. She became the first woman director of the Texas Jewelers’ Association, was an active member of the Southwest Jewelers’ Group, and attained certification through the American Gem Society of “Registered Jeweler” in 1973. In 1979, the Credit Women International named her “Boss of the Year.” However, among her many accolades in the business world, her greatest pride was having her two sons join her in the family business.

While a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, she served as both Senior Warden and Junior Warden of the vestry.

In 1970, she married Lee W. Sanders, enjoying nearly 25 years of life and travel with him and work on her oasis-in-progress in Irion County. During the last year, Virginia enjoyed her life at Royal Estates where she maintained former friendships, renewed old friendships, and cultivated new friendships.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Chase Holland, Jr; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert (Bob) and Barbara (Skip) Tindall; and her nephew, Guy Stuart Tindall. She is survived by her two sons and their wives and families: Chase III and Kay B. Holland and their sons and wives, -- Chase IV and Traci Holland of Austin, Bradlee D. and Julianna Holland of San Angelo, and Stuart and Holly Holland also of Austin -- and William Stuart (Bill) and Janet and their children, -- David and Jen Holland of Santa Cruz, California; Chelsea Holland of San Angelo; Grant and Missy Huling of Austin; and Garrett and Natalie Huling of McAllen. Virginia is also survived by great grandchildren to carry on her legacy and strength– Emily and Chase V (Quin) Holland; Gardner and Griggs Holland; Sumner and Duncan Holland; Ava and Grayson Huling; and Madelyn and Harper Huling. Her family also includes cousin, C. E. Bradshaw of Maitland, Florida; niece, Shirley (Shay) Tindall of Fredericksburg; and nephew, Robert Tindall of Petersburg, Virginia. Other survivors include her stepchildren Sandra and Bobby Carter of Meridian Texas; Richard and Janell Sanders of Nashville, Tennessee; and James and Sheila (Scooter) Sanders of Chandler, Arizona.

Services will be conducted at her church, the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd, with Father Stan Burdock presiding on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 2:00 pm. Grandsons will proudly act as their “Ginny’s” pallbearers. Special seating is reserved for her Holland Jewelry family, both past and present.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, West Texas Boys’ Ranch, West Texas Rehabilitation Center, or another favorite charity.

In the Texas tradition, this lady has, indeed, “won her spurs!”