Janet Woodward Holland

Janet Woodward Holland, age 88, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2023, in Graham, Texas. Janet Woodward Holland was born March 9, 1935, in Alva, Oklahoma, to William Lee Woodward and Merle Kingsbery Woodward. 

Janet’s early years were spent in Alva, Oklahoma, where she completed her education and graduated from Alva High School. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she pursued her love for music and attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, earning a B.A. in music.  After graduating, she taught music in an elementary school in Denver, CO. While in Colorado she developed a passion for snow skiing. After teaching two years she moved to Dallas, TX, to work as a reservation agent for Braniff Airlines. While living in Dallas she met Michael “Mike” Holland, while he was stationed at Grand Prairie Naval Air Station. They were united in marriage in 1962, and moved to San Antonio, where Mike was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, studying medicine. During Mike's military service, the adventurous couple also spent time in Okinawa, Japan, where Janet enthusiastically embraced her love for travel.  Mike was honorably discharged after 13 years of service, and the couple settled in Stephenville, Texas, where Mike attended Tarleton State University. During this time, their family grew with the arrival of children, Michele and Daniel. In 1969, the family moved to Mineral Wells, which has been their home ever since. 

Janet actively participated in local groups like DAR, Garden Club, Bridge Club, and Women’s Club, and sang in the church choir. She also played golf and took continuing education classes like archaeology, even participating in archaeological digs. She served on the first boards of the Brazos Foundation, the country club in Mineral Wells, and Texas Frontier Trails.

In 1981, Janet and Mike, along with another couple, acquired True Value Hardware stores in Mineral Wells and Springtown. Janet managed the Mineral Wells True Value store for many years. In 1988, Janet was one of the first women to join Rotary International, and her dedication and leadership led her to serve as president of the Mineral Wells club in 1992-93. Another accomplishment in 1993 was being the first female appointed to chair a Rotary International Fellowship. In 1995 she was elected District Governor, one of the first 8 women worldwide to hold that position. Janet’s impact extended beyond her community to other countries. She led a Rotary team to Bangladesh twice to help establish a rehabilitation center, and traveled to India to help vaccinate children against polio in 2010. 

Her adventurous spirit extended to traveling the world, whether for Rotary or with friends and family. Notable trips with Mike included visiting China in 1981, and South America in 2014. She also embarked on a memorable journey to England in 2015, exploring her ancestry alongside her daughter Michele and sister Claride Mayo. The Holland family created numerous cherished memories during their travels over the years. 

Janet is survived by her husband of 60 years, Mike Holland; daughter Michele Mills and husband Kevin; son Daniel Holland and wife Susan; grandchildren Jake Holland, Leah Holland, Luke Holland, and Colton Mills; sister Claride Mayo, and three nephews, Stefan, Mark, and David Walters. 

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at ElisonAssisted Living Center Graham and the memory care unit, and Solaris Hospice for providing excellent care for Janet for the past six years. 

A memorial service to honor Janet’s life will be held at 2:00pm, Sunday, September 24, at  Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home in Mineral Wells. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Rotary Foundation to continue Janet’s passion for service and international goodwill.

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