Virginia Powell Holt

Virginia Powell Holt died at the age of 97 years, 7 months and 9 days on January 17, 2018. After a couple months stay in the wonderful and loving Ozark Nursing Home, “Granny Holt” passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was surrounded by family full of love, sweat, and tears knowing full well we will see her again and that she was more than ready to go to her Heavenly Home. Born the third of four girls Virginia entered this world on June 8, 1920 to Luther L. Powell and Nellie Marie Fleming Powell on the farm in the prairie View Community near Charleston, Arkansas. She attended Prairie View Baptist Church and graduated Salutatorian of the class of 1938 from Branch High School. She attended a Commercial College in Fort Smith, Arkansas paying her own way to school by boarding with a family and taking care of their baby. She worked in Ozark for the local Dodgen’s Processing Plant, Arkansas Valley Electric, and several years as head secretary for the Vocational Technical School which is now Arkansas Tech Ozark Campus. Virginia married Jeff “Stumpy” Holt on July 26, 1940. They were married for forty nine years before his passing on August 2, 1989. They lived on School Street in Ozark where Virginia cooked many a meal for many friends and family. They raised five children in this home of love and support. Stumpy and Virginia moved to Faith Addition in the 1970’s where she lived for almost thirty years by herself. She was extremely independent and of solid mind to care for her own affairs. She was always prepared for life, extremely hard working. Virginia always paid close attention to ballgames and successes of her children, fourteen grandchildren, twenty eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. It is noted that close to thirty of her family members are in public service jobs caring for others—which she so eloquently taught all who knew her. She loved taking care of her family and loved each one with a unique and very special attention and love. Virginia “Granny” Holt was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son, Tommy Jeff Holt, two sisters, Catherine Pyle and Margarite Biggs, two grandsons, Matthew Todd Holt and Jimmy Wade Banning, and one great-granddaughter, Cassandra Michelle “Cassie” Lemley. She is survived by her children, Peggy Banning and husband Jerry of Ozark, Betty Jo Cochran and friend Marsha Rogers of Hot Springs, Jack Holt and wife Vicki of Greenwood, William Carl “Bill” Holt of Ozark, Amber Rofkahr and husband Corey of Ozark, and a sister, Francis Powell Schilling of Raymond, Mississippi. The funeral services were held in Ozark at Shaffer Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, January 20, 2018 with Greg Willhite serving as Celebrant. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Jeff Holt, Michael Banning, Keith Holt, Danny Brian Cochran, Scott Cochran, and Stephen Banning. Honorary pallbearers were her granddaughters. To leave online condolences visit our website: shafferfuneralhomeweb.com

Virginia Powell Holt

June 8, 1920 - January 17, 2018