Virginia Glenna Holder

Born to Moses Janniere and Eletha Sayles in Colon, Panama, June 12, 1929. Virginia was moved to Barbados as a young child where she grew up and morphed Spanish into the spirited lifelong Bajan accent we’ve all come to love her by. Virginia went to nursing school and immigrated to New York City in the 1950’s. A Registered Nurse for over 30 years when she retired, she worked at various hospitals in New York including Long Island Jewish Hospital, Pilgrim State Hospital and Booth Memorial among others.

On March 29, 1959 Virginia Glenna Janniere (aka Jan) married Irvine Athelbert Holder (who preceded her in death in 2000) and moved to Hollis, Queens, New York where they raised their family. They eventually moved to Deer Park, New York on Long Island until they retired to Apopka, Florida.

Virginia was a devout Christian whose grandmother was an evangelist, which led Virginia also to a love of singing hymns and going to church. She had a passion for natural health and was more than determined to make it a passion to everyone she encountered as well, affectionately earning her the esteemed title of neighborhood Bush Doctor. Even as a child she loved taking care of the scrapes children got from playing and nursing people back to good health, attributes that stayed with her until her final days on this earth.

She is survived by her three children, Rhonda Bethel, Gennia Holder and Franklyn Holder, two grandchildren, David Holder and Eric Bethel and was a second mom to Melissa Clark, Monica Clark and Derrick Bloomfield. As an only child she was fortunate to be raised with her cousins, Rico Downer and Romeo Downer,. and had an unbreakable brother-sister bond. Throughout the array of meaningful, loving relationships Ruth (Skeete) Tucker, was Virginia's longest friendship, one that started when they were 5 years old in Barbados, even moving to live two houses away when they retired here in Florida.

Virginia shared her wisdom, love and compassion with everyone she met and depending on your needs. She leaves behind a host of family, friends and acquaintances who call her their friend, grandma, auntie, bush doctor, godmother, prayer warrior, confidante, shoulder to cry on or biggest cheerleader.

As a devoted mother, Virginia’s main concern was for her son, Franklyn, and who would care for him when she is no longer here, as he has a physical disability. In honoring her legacy of love and the kindness she showed to so many, we invite those who feel led to support Franklyn, ensuring he feels the same warmth and community she so freely gave. To find out more, please visit https://holderlove.com

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734. For those who cannot attend in person, we warmly invite you to join the service via livestream. Please visit https://holderlove.com for the livestream link and additional information.