Marjorie Holden

Mrs. Marjorie Jean Ralston Holden died Thursday, October 27, 2011 in UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama after a five year battle with leukemia. She was born November 12, 1951 in Kingsville, Texas. She grew up and spent most of her life in DeFuniak Springs. Marjorie was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. She worked for many years as a licensed practical nurse at the Chautauqua Rehab and Nursing Center in DeFuniak Springs. She began her nursing training and career after her children were grown. It was the perfect occupation for her outgoing and nurturing personality. Her family was the most important part of her life and she lived hosting her entire extended family for frequent impromptu meals and gatherings. She is predeceased by her parents, Elvera and Elvin E. Ralston and mother and father-in-law Lee and Vera Holden and her sister-in-law Susan Ann Holden.

She is survived by her beloved husband and high school sweetheart, Edward Lee Holden. She leaves two daughters, D’ette Andrews and husband Rodney and Laurie Holden. Marjorie is survived by her sister Darlene Douglass and husband Matthew, and brother-in-law Lee Roy Holden, Jr. She is also survived by birth siblings who united to lovingly support her and find a compatible stem cell donor among them. These brothers and sisters include Eugene, Bobby and Jimmy Hamilton, Debbie Smith, Noreen Pittman and Donna Pierce whose compatible stem cell donation allowed Marjorie to become cancer free. She is survived by two special nieces Kara and Kaylyn Douglass who filled her empty nest until her grandchildren, Chloe, Peyton and Marissa Andrews and Christopher Kelley arrived to share this special place in her heart. She leaves behind several other nieces and nephews including Chris, Isaac and Randall Holden, Craig Bruckman and LeeAnn Wallace and many friends, cousins and prayer warriors.

Among those asked to serve as pallbearers are Chris Holden, Isaac Holden, Randall Holden, Craig Bruckman, Bobby Hamilton and Eugene Hamilton. Flowers are being accepted or memorials may be made in Marjorie Holden’s memory to Gideons International. The Family will receive friends Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 6 until 8 P.M. in Jerry Evans Chapel. Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. in First United Methodist Church, the church where she grew up learning about her new home and where she married her best friend forty-one years ago. Reverend Phil McMillian will officiate and Matt Douglass will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.