Winona "Nona" Holland

Asheville- On April 13, 2025, our beloved mother, Winona “Nona” Holland, lost her battle with dementia at the age of 91. She died in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Nona was born in Whitter, NC to the late Kelly and Bonnie Bradley Bridges. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Hoyt Holland, who died in 2010 as well as a brother, Dennis Bridges.

She shared many fond memories of her childhood, including Hyatt’s Chapel Baptist Church, where she was baptized as a young girl (age 12). She was a woman of strong faith and believed wholeheartedly that Jesus loves all the children of the world.

She worked in Cherokee at Craft Stores while attending high school. She was “discovered” by Fess Parker to play an extra in a Davy Crockett film, “King of the Wild Frontier,” which was filmed in Cherokee in 1955. If you blinked, you might miss her, but we were still so proud to hear her stories of that time in her life.

She was an avid Tarheel Basketball fan, she loved planting flowers, was a fantastic cook, and her kind heart and smile were like no other. Nona was the heart of our family and raised two children in a happy, loving home.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude for the wonderful care provided by Four Seasons Hospice, Dr. Dowling, and Mahec (Dr. Gloria).

Left to cherish Nona’s memory is a daughter, Annette Embler (Mitch) of Asheville; a son, Terry Holland (Martha) of Fletcher; two brothers, Harold Bridges of Whittier and John Bridges of Asheville; four grandchildren, Terry Holland, Jr. (Leigh), Tyler Holland (Bobbie), Leacie Holland and Clint Lanning (Melissa); six great-grandchildren, Abbie, Bella, Corbin, Xander, Pippa and Dodge as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Nona’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 18, 2025 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 PM. Burial will follow the service at Averys Creek United Methodist Church Cemetery.