Our dear Lord has called Melba Louise Hollar home on July 7th, 2020. When she learned she had lung cancer, the doctors had repeatedly told her she will die very soon; knowing in her heart and soul she will be called home when God is ready for her and not a minute sooner. She fought courageously with her head held high for 10 months, rarely complaining, but knowing God was fully in charge.
Melba was born in Caddo County, Anadarko, OK, on July 19th 1940, to Lloyd Dearing Pace and Edna Lee Rader who worked as migrant field workers throughout the Southern USA, California and even up into Washington. Melba was the second born of 7 brothers and sisters, of whom the two youngest are still living; Willy Pace, and Eldon Pace. A car accident during her early work life left Melba with a broken back and after healing she resigned to be the caretaker of all the younger siblings and cooked and cleaned for the family while the others worked in the fields in order to make ends meet. When along came her husband, a sailor, who preceded her in death, Paul Frederick Hollar was said to have hitch hiked all the way from El Centro, California to court her. They were married in Farmersville on July 1, 1958 during leave from the Navy. The couple lived near the Naval base where he was stationed, until her eldest child was born, on January 26, 1961, Paul Raymond Hollar, who also preceded her in death in 2016. The couple lived in North Carolina for a short time until eventually settling in Visalia, California to make a home. Soon she had a second child, Rebecca Ann Hollar, born July 3, 1962 who misses her parents and brother dearly.
In the mid 1970's the family moved into the country and lived on a small farm where they raised numerous chickens, cows, sheep, ducks and they even had a horse they cared for. Blessed with numerous fruit trees and bountiful gardens, it seemed their mutual hobbies were gardening and canning food, selling eggs, and living "off the land" for awhile. When her husband suffered an injury and became disabled, Melba went back to work, initially at a local hamburger stand and eventually working for Kaweah Delta District Hospital as a Central Supply Sterile Processing Clerk. When the children grew up and moved away, Paul and Melba moved back to North Carolina, where they cared for Paul's elderly father. There Melba went back to school and received her GED, for which she was very proud, and eventually got a job at Iredell Memorial Hospital, again in Central Supply Sterile Processing.
Melba loved her family and friends very much; limitlessly devoted to serving others, without hesitation. Eventually her eldest son was married to Deodata Teixeira and they had 3 sons, Christopher T. Hollar, Daniel T. Hollar and Michael T. Hollar, all of whom miss their Grandmother very much. In her final days, one thing that was sure to bring a smile to her face was seeing her grandchildren's faces.
One devoted friend, while comforting her daughter said, "She is in Heaven now, with her husband and her son, and God has given her a job. We don't know what job it is, but she will have one." Her daughter replied, lovingly, "Oh, if God puts her in charge of all the babies who have died prematurely, she will literally, be IN Heaven!" Melba was known for adoring babies and children and doted on every one of her young friend's children, as if they were also her very own.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to all the friends and relatives who offered never ending
support and love through this difficult time, and to all the devoted healthcare workers and first
responders who put themselves at risk to care for the people in need. We thank you.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18