Wanda Lee Holbrook

Wanda Lee (Kelly) Holbrook, age 85, of Spring Hill, Florida, passed December 10, 2016 at HPH Hospice in Spring Hill. Born June 1, 1931 in Keaton, Kentucky, she is survived by her husband of 67 years, Wilbur, her son, Anthony, and three brothers, Marlin of West Carrolton, Ohio, Wendell of Flat Gap, Kentucky, and William of Dayton, Ohio. She also had a daughter, Terry Lynn, that passed soon after her birth.

Though illness prevented her from graduating from Flat Gap High School, she eventually finished high school. She was always a “late bloomer” learning to drive at age 35 and later attending Wright State University.

Wanda was active in church throughout her life. She and her husband taught Sunday School at Emmanuel Church of the Brethren in Ohio. She also worked in the church kitchen helping to prepare meals for church families and with kitchen upkeep. After moving to Florida in 1985, she was again involved in Sunday School classes at First Presbyterian Church of Port Richey. They also ran the food pantry for the church. Most recently, she and her husband were members of Grace Presbyterian Church in Spring Hill.

Wanda was a homemaker for most of her life, though she did work for Lawson’s Milk Company, and as an assistant at a nursery school. Much of her life she spent doing much of the work around the home so that her husband could attend college. She mowed the lawn, cooked the meals, cleaned the house, and helped her son with school work when he was younger, and more while her husband earned his bachelors and masters degrees.

Mom was very intelligent, but not technical at all. Whenever something stopped working, she asked for help fixing the “thing”. This made life a bit difficult for mechanics and repairmen, trying to figure out what parts to bring or replace. It was also frustrating for her son, because he was called frequently to fix the “thing.”

Wanda will also be remembered for the wonderful meals she would make for special occasions. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, the house was filled with the wonderful aromas of the homemade “dressing” and turkey, ham, and enough side dishes to totally fill the table. She loved to feed the family.

She was a generous woman, always there to help if someone needed food or money to make it through the month. Many times she has delivered a trunk load of food to families in need.

She will be missed by her family and many friends in Florida and Ohio and by her “Granddog” Rufus.