Wanda Holland Nicholas, a kind, compassionate, loyal, humorous, beloved child of God, daughter, sister, mother, Grammy, friend, and caregiver, passed unexpectedly and peacefully away surrounded by her family on August 2, 2026, at the age of 82.

Wanda was born September 19, 1943, in Alameda, California to Allene Edwards Holland and Walter Franklin Holland. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Virginia (Ginger) Evans, and their most recent beloved toy poodle, Niki.

She is survived by her husband, Donald (Don) Herren Nicholas of 59 years, her children and their spouses, Brent W. Nicholas and Brooke and Samuel Bradley; grandchildren, Justin Nicholas, Kelly Nicholas, Rachael Nicholas, Chloe and Chris Lynch, Audrey Bradley and Avery Bradley. Wanda is also survived by her younger sisters and their spouse, Freda and Jerry Hutchins and Francine Holland.

Wanda grew up spending all her school years in Texas City, Texas. After graduating high school, she attended North Texas State University and graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and obtained her teaching certificate. She was in Phi Chi Theta and National Education Association.

Wanda and Don met in Dallas, Texas in June 1965 at a mutual lunch cafeteria near their work, and then after a yearlong romance, they married on October 22, 1966, and lived in Dallas until March 1967. Next, they lived in Houston April 1967- May 1970, then moved to Shreveport, LA from June to September 1970, then again moved to Waco from October 1970 - December 1973, and once more moved to Arlington Heights, IL from January 1974 - May 1976. The last and final move back to Houston was in June 1976 where they have resided for the past 50 years.

She worked in business administration for CDC, Cameron Iron Works, Houghton Mifflin Publishing, and Union Carbide Corporation. She taught Business English, General Business, and typing in Aldine Independent School District, and she had her most important career as a mom and homemaker.

Wanda had a large variety of interests that she loved and a passion for volunteering. She first and foremost loved God, and she was a woman of strong faith. She was fully devoted to the family she loved.

She volunteered and served on many boards with some of them being: Christian Women's Club (which she was involved for decades), volunteered by doing publicity, tutoring, and teacher's aide for Elementary, Middle, and High School. Wanda also volunteered as a Sunday School teacher and held many other volunteering positions at Northwoods Presbyterian Church (member of over four decades).

Wanda coordinated prayer chains, established quilting and patchwork, arts and crafts clubs in Arlington Heights and Waco, and created a 300-page cookbook of collected recipes.

Some of her other interests were: being an avid reader of many genres, participating in a bowling league for over 50 years, gardening, excellent cook (you would never leave her home hungry), walking, doing crafts (such as drawing, pottery, landscaping, floral design, and sewing), loved watching birds, was a sports enthusiast of Dallas Cowboys, Houston Oilers/Texans, Houston Rockets, Astros (which she kept stats on all their games), and tennis (her favorite player was Novak Djokovic). She attended and led bible study courses; with her most recent bible study group of ladies has been going for over 20 years.

May God grant you always…

A sunbeam to warm you,

A moonbeam to charm you,

A sheltering angel

so nothing can harm you,

Laughter to cheer you,

Faithful friends near you –

And whenever you pray,

Heaven to hear you.

An Irish Blessing

In lieu of flowers please honor Wanda by helping any charity that serves the poor, sick, or the wounded.

Viewing at Klein Funeral Homes & Memorial, Champions location, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, August 7, 2026. Graveside service at noon on August 8, 2026, at Oaklawn Memorial Park cemetery, Athens, TX (3100 FM317, Athens, TX 75752)