John Willie Holt, Sr.

John Willie Holt, Sr. was born on January 6, 1944, in Nashville, Tennessee, to the late Willie Mae Crutcher and Robert Holt. He attended school in Nashville and went on to live a life centered around family, friendship, enjoyment, and faith.

John enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, serving the Creator, fishing, dancing, golfing, and spending time in the great outdoors. He especially loved watching the latest shows with his family and sharing conversations with his daughter. Some of his happiest moments were spent fishing with his son and grandsons.

To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was more than a grandfather. He was a source of wisdom, encouragement, laughs, history, and life lessons. From sharing knowledge of his family's indigenous heritage to his humorous words said in rhymes, a natural poet he was.

John was a proud veteran who served his country, America, the land to which he is connected by bloodline. Beyond this remarkable part of his legacy, he was devoted to serving the people he loved, ready to defend family during their difficult times.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Holt; his brothers, Robert Holt and Thomas Holt; the beloved friend and mother of his children, Audrey J. Bell; and other loved ones who went before him.

He leaves to cherish his memory his children, John W. Holt, Jr., LaShonda L. Holt, and Chris A. Holt; sister Ardean Lancaster; his grandchildren, Dominique Allen, Taylor Holt, Mckenzie Allen, Sean-Blair Allen, Christopher Holt, and Jaylen Holt; his great-grandchildren, Kadmiel Petit-Frere, and Nanuk Petit-Frere.

He also leaves to cherish his memory his brothers-in-law, William Jordan, Gary Wiggins, Mark Jordan; sister-in-law Rotonda Glenn; and nephew Walter Patton; and a host of relatives, friends, and loved ones whose lives were touched by his presence.