Vivian Holder

Vivian Elizabeth Boykin Holder, known as “Bobbie” to her friends, died peacefully in her sleep on April 8, 2013, following complications suffered from a stroke. She was born on March 1, 1917, her Uncle Vivian Boykin’s birthday, and delivered by her grandfather, Dr. William Hughes Boykin, in Battles, Miss., in the home of her parents, the late Thomas Spain Boykin (1886-1943) and Ruth Lucas Boykin (1896-1985). She is survived by her children Dr. Ernest Jefferson Holder, Jr. (Deborah), of Canton, Ga.; Thomas Edward Holder and Carolyn Ruth Holder Stancill, (Dr. Hugh W. Stancill, III) of Laurel, Miss; grandchildren Ernest Jefferson Holder, III (Celeste) of Huntsville, Ala.; Catherine Ruth Holder Arpey (Vincent Justin Arpey, Jr.), of Atlanta, Ga.; Elizabeth Spain Holder Meeks (Jonathan McCoy Meeks), Charlotte, N.C.; Thomas Henry Blake, III (Jane) of Laurel, Jefferson Kendall Blake Stancill (Mary Ellen) and Dorothy Elizabeth Stancill of Jackson, Miss. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Tyler Jefferson Holder and Andrew Nicholas Holder of Huntsville and Dudley Jefferson Stancill of Jackson; one sister, Dorothy Agnes Boykin Heinmiller (Lowell Edward Heinmiller) of Hattiesburg and one niece, Janet Ruth Heinmiller Pippins (Michael Pippins) of Denham Springs, La. She is survived by numerous cousins of both the Boykin and Lucas families: the descendants of Dr. William Hughes and Glendora McCleod Boykin and Thomas Jefferson Lucas and Agnes Elizabeth Byrd Lucas. Mrs. Holder was the widow of Dr. Ernest Jefferson Holder of Laurel, who preceded her in death on November 11, 2003, after 62 years of marriage. A valedictorian graduate of Stateline High School, Mrs. Holder also graduated with honors from the Mississippi State College for Women (now Mississippi University for Women) and obtained a Masters Degree from Mississippi Normal College for Teachers (now University of Southern Mississippi). Mrs. Holder was active in the First United Methodist Church, the Laurel Garden Club and the Little Garden Club, serving in many capacities, and numerous other philanthropic activities within the community and the local schools. Known for her hospitality, she loved to host parties for her garden club and her friends. She also enjoyed playing piano, reading, needlework, and traveling. Visitation will be held at Memory Chapel Funeral Home Friday, April 12 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 13, at Lake Park Cemetery in Laurel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be sent in honor of Vivian Holder to First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 956, Laurel, Miss. 39440 or to The Laurel Garden Club, P. O. Box 4081, Laurel, Miss. 39441. Memory Chapel of Laurel is in charge of the arrangements.

Vivian Holder

March 1, 1917 - April 8, 2013