Jeanelle Owen Holland

FUQUAY-VARINA – Jeanelle Owen Holland, 55, passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, including her four-legged child, Dewey. Born in Wake County, she was the daughter of Ruby Jean Owen of Fuquay-Varina and the late James “Ricky” Owen, Jr.

Jeanelle loved the beach-sitting in the sun and reading her James Patterson mystery novels; going to the boardwalk and playing cards with her friends. Her favorite pastime was to go “junk’n”. She could go into a shop and find a treasure no one else would even see. Her knowledge of antiques would amaze even the most seasoned antique pickers. Her home was adorned with all her favorite “junk”.

Jeanelle’s sense of style was bougie chic. She was just as comfortable in a T-shirt and jeans as she was in her finest clothes all decked out in bling. Her passion was her flowers and working in her yard. Whether it be planting bulbs by moonlight or pulling weeds and spreading pine straw by day, for her it was a labor of love to watch something she had planted blossom, bloom and burst forth in vibrant colors was to her, pure joy. Her front porch was always a place of fun, happiness, and laughter. It was also a place she offered love and advice.

Jeanelle’s compassion for others and her community often went unknown, but the stories would spread, and the love would be known. Not once would she tell the story herself, but to Jeanelle, everyone deserved love and empathy. Her true love and loyalty to her girlfriends is a treasure that we can all hope to find in a friend.

She was a very savvy and fierce businesswoman. Count yourself lucky if you’ve never owed a debt. Her wit and her comebacks were quicker than the Chick-fil-A drive through.

Jeanelle was the backbone of her family; the best wife, mother, GiGi; and an inspiration to others. To say that she has left a legacy would be an understatement and the positive impact she had on others will continue to be felt.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Friday, December 16th at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Angier. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 17th at Neill’s Creek Baptist Church, Angier. Burial will follow the service in Olive Branch Cemetery, Kipling.

In addition to her mother, Jeanelle is survived by her husband of 34 years, John Holland; daughter, Taylor Kesick (Andrew) of Fuquay-Varina; son, Matthew Holland (Amanda) of Lillington; brother, Darrell Owen (Cindy) of Mooresburg, TN; granddaughter, Jeannie Holland of Lillington.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, James Dewey Young; and grandparents, Wade and Hazeleen Gilbert.