Howard Holt

Tupelo - Howard Franklin Holt, 73, died Thursday, August 20, 2009, at The Sanctuary Hospice House after an extended illness. A native of Crittenden County, Arkansas, he was born December 10, 1935, to Peter Solomon and Ethel Capps Holt. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea following the Korean War. He was married 50 years to Joyce Holt, who died Oct. 20, 2006. He worked as a building contractor but farming and raising cattle were his passion. He was happiest on his John Deere tractor and when spending time with his family. He was a faithful member of Chesterville Baptist Church where he served as a music director over 40 years and chairman of the deacons.

Services will be 4 p.m. Sunday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Sammy Coker officiating. Burial will be in Chesterville Memorial Cemetery.

Survivors include one daughter, Stephanie Stanfield (David) of Belden; three sons, Ted Holt (Jerry) of Tupelo, Trent Holt (Jeannie) of Tupelo, and Tim Holt (Carmen) of Woodstock, Ga.; 14 grandchildren, Kyle Crider, Tabitha Marlar (Chris), Bret Holt (Jessica), Tyler Holt (Lauren), Anna Coker (Paul), Brittany Stanfield, Caleb Holt, Amy Holt, Austin Stanfield, Nathan Holt, Jacob Holt, Hunter Stanfield, Joyce Holt, and Grace Holt; one great-grandson, Brodie Holt; two sisters, Laverne Gadsby of Norfolk, Va. and Georgia Herndon of Millington, Tenn.; one brother, Bradley Holt of Bartlett, Tenn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; three brothers, James, Warren, and Harold Holt; two sisters, Rose Nell Buckalew and Flossie Bishop.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to The Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803.