TABLE OF CONTENTS COMMIITTEE MEETING UPDATE ……………….. 2 WAYS YOU CAN HELP …………………………… 3 SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS…SHIRLETA HOLLAND-MEREDITH ………………… 4 IN MEMORY ………………………….. 6 F AMILY R EUNION B OARD M EMBERS Sharee Brent, Chair Vacancy, Co-Chair Vacancy, Secretary Vacancy, Treasurer News Letter Contributor Sharee Brent Rochelle Jackson Family Historian Rochelle Jackson vacancies Family Website Rochelle Jackson Senior Advisors Cornetta Holland-Preston Johnny Preston “T E.A.M.” Together Each of us can Achieve Motivation Dec 2011 Volume 1 Issue Top row, left to right: Willie Walter Garrett, Beatrice L. Wilson-Garrett, Lillian Wilson Bottom row, left to right: James Elijah Holland, Ollie Ada Connor-Holland Rochelle Jackson P.O. Box 602 Tracy, CA 95378, cell: 510.691.5700 Website: http://christinevirginiahollandgarrettfounda tion.webs.com Welcome “Legacy of Hope and Love” Greetings Family and Friends 2012 Garrett Holland Family Reunion
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMMIITTEE MEETING UPDATE ……………….. 2 WAYS YOU CAN HELP …………………………… 3 SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS…SHIRLETA HOLLAND-MEREDITH ………………… 4 IN MEMORY ………………………….. 6 6
F A M I L Y R E U N I O N
B O A R D M E M B E R S
Sharee Brent, Chair
Vacancy, Co-Chair
Vacancy, Secretary
Vacancy, Treasurer
News Letter Contributor
Sharee Brent
Rochelle Jackson
Family Historian
Rochelle Jackson
vacancies
Family Website
Rochelle Jackson
Senior Advisors
Cornetta Holland-Preston
Johnny Preston
“T E.A.M.”
Together Each of us can Achieve Motivation
Dec 2011 Volume 1 Issue
Top row, left to right: Willie Walter Garrett, Beatrice L. Wilson-Garrett,
Lillian Wilson
Bottom row, left to right: James Elijah Holland, Ollie Ada Connor-Holland
I’m excited to announce that plans have begun for the 2012 Garrett and Holland Family Reunion. I am
also the 2012 Reunion Coordinator. I’m looking forward to working with everyone and we need your help!
Several of the Reunion Committee members have met to start making preliminary plans. Our first task
was to pick a location and come up with dates 2012. The dates are set for August 3 – 5, 2012 even in a
small way – to make this reunion fun and memorable for all who attend. The location we have decided
on was a unanimous decision, especially after making a trip to visit in person and the facilities and other amenities to ensure a wonderful reunion weekend.
There are playgrounds, plenty of wide-open spaces for our own games (football, softball, volleyball,
badminton, horseshoes, etc.). There are also several sightseeing attractions nearby for those who are interested. We will send a list of lodging information as the event gets closer.
Since we are still a year away, please put this date on your calendars and make it work. The reunion
events will begin Friday evening and go through Sunday morning; with some free time built into the
day on Sunday. An exact schedule of events will be sent at a later date.
Please fill out the Family Survey Form and the Family Group Form and return as soon as possible This
form has been mailed to all Seniors. Your information will be used to compile a mailing list for
upcoming reunion letters and information. The Reunion Committee will continue to work hard over the
next several months, but we can’t do it alone. The outcome and success of the reunions is a reflection of
participants and resources. Let us know what you can do to help. Please feel free to duplicate copies of
this letter or send addresses of other family members that we may not have. We will go through the spreadsheet to eliminate duplicates. It's better to have an address twice than not at all!
I truly hope that everyone will attend the 2012 Reunion. The Garrett and Holland Family Reunion only
happens once every so often; it is a three day event, giving family members (that span generations and
live from coast to coast) an opportunity to spend time together visiting loved ones, getting to know one another and building relationships to last a lifetime.
Feel free to call, write, visit the website or e-mail for more information.
Again I must reiterate, please send information to other descendants of Garrett And Holland that may
not be widely known to the following website and/or Rochelle Jackson and Sharee Brent. Feel free to
There you will find all documents to be submitted back to the committee, so that we
can get your feedback and you won’t be left out of the planning. All surveys forms
will need to be submitted by Friday, December 30th, 2011. You can mail and/or email
your form
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By Rochelle Garrett-Jackson
Shirletia Meredith…
Among the very first group of FIRST BLACK females that attended the Precola DeVore School of Charm and the DeVore Modeling Agency in D.C.
Shirletia Meredith born September of 1953, daughter of Shirley Holland-Nutt granddaughter of Ollie
and James E. Holland. Shirletia was taught modeling by Ms. Precola Devore, on how to talk and
walk with the elegance and grace that Ms. Devore so exhibited herself. Miss Devore a pioneer in the
field of modeling education and self-improvement for Women of Color for 35 years and the founder
and CEO of the Precola DeVore School of Charm and the DeVore Modeling Agency. The school and
agency was a vision for Miss DeVore and the FIRST ever in Washington, D.C. As a Protégé of Miss
DeVore, Shirletia attended Cappa Chell Finishing School and furthered her education at Howard
University to study Music Theory. In the 1970’s, Shirletia was a drummer in an all-girl African
American band called the Devastating Demons. One of her passions is clothes design and in her
spare time she plays the bass guitar, writing songs and poetry. Shirletia has unique talents and
abilities of her artistry that exemplifies elegance and grace. You will have the opportunity to meet
and learn more about her at the 2012 Family Reunion.
“In Her own words…
“I’m still here, whatever task God has for me to do, God give me the wisdom to know what it is and
the courage to do it.”
2012 Garrett Holland Family Reunion
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In Memory of the love ones that recently past on… Many of us are mourning the loss of a loved one, now is the time to cling to one another during this sad and difficult time. Loss creates an emotional wound, but it is an injury that can be healed in time with the support of family and close friends. Every loss is a challenge to grow. Growth requires change, and change is often painful. When a loved one dies, everything changes, including you. Nothing is ever the same again…Rochelle C. Garrett-Jackson
Elosie Holland-Arrington April 11, 1936 – October 30, 2011
Safely Home
I am home in Heaven, dear ones; Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty In this everlasting light.
All the pain and suffering is over
Every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly Trod the valley of the shade? Oh! but Jesus' love illumined Every dark and fearful glade.
And he came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread And with Jesus' arm to lean on
Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely, For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows, Pray to trust our Father's will.
There is still work waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand; Do it now, while life remaineth
You shall rest in Jesus' land.
When that work is completed, He will gently call you home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come!
