Eileen Carroll Holland Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Eileen Carroll Holland, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother entered into eternal rest on 02/17/2021, in Harlingen TX. Eileen was born on October 14, 1920, in Alvin, TX, to Porter Patton and Ethel Armstrong Carroll, the first of 2 daughters. She had a very large and close extended family of Mears, Armstrong, Carroll and Gilliam cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Eleanor Carroll Goodridge (t Ross), father of her children Howard C. Holland, a nephew Jerry L. Goodridge, and all her cousins. Eileen attended school in Alvin, TX where she and Eleanor played softball and tennis. She graduated high school as an honor graduate at the age of 16. After her marriage to Howard C. Holland in 1941 and their move to Beaumont, TX, in 1946, she continued her education and graduated Durham Business College. She later attended Lamar College of Technology, taking night classes for her employment with Missouri Pacific Railroad. She worked as a clerk for MoPac for over 30 years and retired shortly after it was merged with Union Pacific. During her employment years, she belonged to the American Business Women's Association. Eileen was a woman of many talents. She was a voracious reader and expert crossword and word jumble solver well into her 90's. Her grandchildren all recall watching Wheel of Fortune with her. She was also very artistic. She loved music, sang alto. and played piano. She and Howard enjoyed ballroom dancing, and, for many years, belonged to a dance club through the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. In addition, Eileen painted and gifted her family and friends with her works. She was an accomplished seamstress, making everything from sleepwear and play clothes to christening gowns, dance recital costumes and evening wear for her children, grandchildren and friends. She also knitted, crocheted, and embroidered. Everyone has at least one blanket or afghan that she lovingly made. Eileen loved to travel. She visited 49 of the 50 United States, missing only Alaska. She also traveled to Mexico and both coasts of Canada. She liked to fly, but really preferred cross-country train or road trips so she could see more. Eileen enjoyed the trips themselves, but she truly relished researching each destination before taking off. In the days prior to the internet, she wrote letters and telephoned Chambers of Commerce, park facilities, and city offices requesting information. She carried a bag of pamphlets and brochures to reference along the way. Her last road trip was in 2012 with her daughter at the age of 92. Eileen was a longtime member of North End Methodist/Wesley United Methodist Church in Beaumont. After moving to Raymondville, TX, in 2006, she moved her membership to First United Methodist Church in Raymondville. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star for many years, serving as Worthy Matron. Though there was no local chapter in Raymondville, she maintained her ties to her sisters of Beaumont Chapter 71. Eileen is survived by her daughter Marian (t Bland) Puente of Raymondville TX, son Curtis (Toni) of Beaumont, TX and her 7 grandchildren: Colleen Holland, Tracy (Kenneth) Gartner, Stacy Harbour (all of Beaumont) Curtis (Tonia) Holland, Jr. of Taylor Lake Village,TX, Lydia (Panfilo) Garcia , Rockville, MD. Brent (Angela) Puente. Brownsville, TX, and Laura (Bobby) De la Rosa. Van Vleck, TX She is also survived by her 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great- granddaughter and a special nephew, Larry G. (Diane) Goodridge of Burkeville TX and several other nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their appreciation to Diana H. Lozano, M.D., Janice Robinson, R.N. and her staff at Angel Care Haven, and Harbor Hospice of Harlingen, TX, for their devotion and excellent care of Eileen in her final days. The family also requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to the charity of your choice. Private graveside services for immediate family only will be conducted on February 27, 2021, by Reverend Matt Cecil of Wesley United Methodist Church and OES Chapter 71 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under direction of Claybar- Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home of Beaumont, TX.

Eileen Carroll Holland

October 14, 1920 - February 17, 2021