Mae Morris Holt of Police Tower Road, Appomattox, Virginia died at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, R. Garland Holt.
Born in Charlotte County, Virginia on October 24, 1915, she was the youngest of five children of Joseph D. Morris and Sally Elwood Morris. Her parents and siblings, Oscar, Muriel, Clarence, and Aubrey, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Holt attended Vincent Elementary School and graduated from Madisonville High School, Madisonville, Virginia in 1932 and moved with her new husband, Garland to Richmond, Virginia. As a wife, she and her husband relocated to many Virginia communities based on Mr. Holt's job assignment with the State Penal System. They moved to Appomattox in 1945 to start a new business. Having the foresight to prepare herself for clerical work prior to moving to Appomattox, Mrs. Holt accepted her first employment outside the home with A. R. Harwood Insurance Company in Appomattox. She then became employed by the Appomattox County School Board where she held various positions culminating with the assignment of Clerk of the School Board. She worked with the school system from the early 1950's until her full retirement in 1985.
As a devoted member of Memorial Methodist Church, Mrs. Holt taught Sunday School, was a class member and was active in the United Methodist Women holding various offices. She has held memberships in the American Association of Retired People, the National Education Association, Virginia Education Association, National Retired Teachers Association, Appomattox County Retired Teachers Association, and the Appomattox Chapter no. 10, Order of the Eastern Star serving in many capacities and was a volunteer for the Visitor Center as well as the Appomattox Health Care Center.
She is survived by two daughters, June Holt Iannuzzi and her husband, Dominic, of Williamsburg, Virginia and Jane Holt Woodson, wife of the late W. Carter Woodson, of Lynchburg, Virginia, one son, Robert Garland Holt and his wife, Joan of Appomattox, Virginia. Mrs. Holt is also survived by six grandchildren: Michael Iannuzzi and his wife, Julie, of Cortlandt Manor, New York, Mark Iannuzzi and his wife, Diana, of Williamsburg, Virginia, David Iannuzzi and his wife, Lisa, of Midlothian, Virginia, Debra Woodson, Jeff Woodson and his wife, Susan, all of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Kevin Holt and his wife, Allison, of Charlottesville, Virginia and was preceded in death by one grandson, Gregory Holt Woodson.
She is also survived by twelve great grandchildren: Jane Townsend and her husband, Tyler Maltby, of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, Guy Townsend of Chicago, Illinois, Holt Townsend of Greensboro, North Carolina, Nomecha and Caitlin Woodson of Lynchburg, Virginia; Gregory and Ashley Iannuzzi of Williamsburg, Virginia; Anthony, Emily, and Rose Iannuzzi of Cortlandt Manor, New York; Nicholas and Ethan Iannuzzi of Midlothian, Virginia; and two great-great grandchildren: Carter Elliot Maltby and Fairley Mae Maltby of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The family would like to pay a very special tribute to the caregivers that have been with her since 2000 and to Carrie Turner for her loving care of both Mr. and Mrs. Holt beginning in 1990.
As an employee of the Appomattox County School Board, Mrs. Holt was diligent in her work and a very caring and generous person to all those with whom she came in contact, a real "people person." Two of her protégés have followed her as clerk of the school board. As she witnessed many changes in education during her tenure, her office colleagues remember her optimistic philosophy when they were confronted with challenges. She would often be heard to say "This too shall pass." Many times she said that she would pay the county to allow her to work! What a testament to the joy she felt performing her job. In addition, the influence she had on her family resulted in two daughters, her only granddaughter and her daughter-in-law becoming educators.
Mrs. Holt was a very loving and greatly loved mother and grandmother with many friends and possessed a wonderful sense of humor. Her family can recount many happy times together, yet her sound wisdom and advice was so helpful. She has left each of us with memories to treasure for our lifetime in her own unique manner.
Funeral services will be conducted at Memorial Methodist Church by the Rev. Bruce Johnson at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 30, 2007. Interment will follow at Liberty Cemetery, Appomattox, VA. The family will receive friends at Robinson Funeral Home between 7—8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007.
The family's request is that those wishing to make memorials consider the Appomattox Rescue Squad, PO Box 57, Appomattox, VA 24522 or a charity of your choice.