Celia Whitley Holder, 75, of Madison passed away peacefully Sunday. Celia was born Celia Mae Whitley in Caledonia, MS July 4, 1935. She attended Mississippi State College for Women, University of Southern Mississippi, and the University of West Florida where she earned a degree in Special Education and began a career of teaching children with special needs until her retirement in 1997. She has taught in Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama and Texas. Celia was an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church, the Sew ‘N' Tell Asbury Sewing Club and Ruth's Circle. She was the beloved wife of Kenneth M. Holder of Madison. Celia was loved by all who knew her for her kind, gentle ways, and her enthusiasm for life. In spite of ill health, she always displayed indomitable spirit and grace.
Celia was preceded in death by her son, Whitley Leonard and her parents, Joseph and Willie Mae Whitley.
She is survived by her husband, Ken, her son, John Leonard of Houston, Texas; stepsons, Rob Holder and wife, Kathy, from Sierra Vista, Arizona, J. Bret Holder and wife, Jennifer, from Metairie, Louisiana, and Kenny Holder from Costa Mesa, California; grandchildren, Erin, Leah, Hannah, Jonathan and Justin; sisters, Judith Webb of Huntsville and Marion Whitley of New York, New York as well as several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Asbury United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Huntsville Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 7669; Atlanta, Georgia 30357-0669 or to the Asbury United Methodist Church Building Fund, 980 Hughes Road; Madison, AL 35758.
{Information provided courtesy of Laughlin Service Funeral Home, internet}