Wanda Jeannette Voltaggio Hollon, 87, passed from this life on February 20, 2022 in Brownsville, Texas.
Wanda was born in Belle Glade, Florida, on March 17, 1934. She was the daughter of Frank and Lorene Davidson Voltaggio.
She grew up in Newark, New Jersey, and Orange, Texas, prior to her family settling in Brownsville where she graduated from high school. Her parents were pioneers in the shrimp industry in this area. They established Valley Frozen Foods which they owned and operated for many years in Port Isabel.
In her youth, Wanda enjoyed visiting her Davidson grandparents on their farm in Arkansas. Her grandfather (Papa) raised beautiful Collie dogs (think of Lassie) and Wanda became a lifelong animal lover, especially dogs. She also loved horses and learned to ride at an early age. Her father bought horses for the two of them to ride together. After they moved to Brownsville, she rode her horse in several Charro Days Parades.
Wanda also became an excellent swimmer and was a lifeguard at Valley International Country Club in her teens.
Wanda was introduced to her great love and future husband, James B. Hollon III, by his father who thought they would be a good match-and they were. She and Jimmy were married on September 18, 1954. They had two children, James Frank, and Virginia Lee (Jenny).
In addition to being a homemaker, Wanda chose nursing as a career. She worked at Mercy Hospital (now Valley Baptist) and several nursing homes in Brownsville for many years. Even after “retiring†she continued to provide her services and contributed thousands of hours of volunteer time at local medical facilities. She was also recognized with a special plaque on the wall of the Brownsville Public Library commemorating her volunteer services at that facility.
Wanda was Episcopalian in her faith and donated time and monetarily to her church.
Wanda Hollon was a good person. She was caregiver to her husband, Jimmy, during his lengthy illness and immobility prior to his passing. She and Jimmy were loving parents who made a good home for their children. She contributed to the betterment of her community, Wanda will be greatly missed and long remembered.
Wanda is preceded in death by her husband Jimmy, their daughter, Jenny Hollon Mathers, and her parents Frank and Lorene Voltaggio.
She is survived by her son James Frank Hollon (Amy), grandchildren James Frank (Jimmy) Hollon Jr., Kristopher Legg, Jean Hollon Smith, Evan Hollon, Luke Hollon, John Michael Hollon, Levi Hollon, Therese Mathers, Tatum Mathers Overly, (son Gage), and eleven great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her beloved sister, Virginia Voltaggio Wood, brother-in-law John Wood, Nephews Frank Wood (Becky) and Kris Wood (Carolyn), her devoted son-in-law Edward Mathers (Sabrina), and a special cousin, Loretta Foster.
Wanda’s many friends and other members of the Hollon, Voltaggio, Davidson, and Mathers families will cherish her memory.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to any local animal shelter or a charity of choice.