Ted Basil Holt

Mr. Ted Basil Holt, age 94, a resident of Columbia passed away Thursday, December 01, 2016 peacefully in his sleep.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., Williams Funeral Home, 2517 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia, Tennessee with Roderic Bryson officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, December 10, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. service. Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ted was born in Hohenwald, Tennessee on January 2, 1922 and was the son of the late J.E. “Pete” Holt and Mattie Keel Holt. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on October 16, 1948. This began his 68 years of dedicated service in which he enjoyed many privileges including helping form the first congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Columbia, Tennessee and having a full and active share in the Bible education work and encouraging his family and friends to do the same.

He married his wife of 54 years Maxine Easley Holt on April 28, 1962 and was a loving and devoted husband as well as a dedicated father. He loved spending time with his family and they fondly remember his talent of storytelling especially bringing Bible stories to life.

Ted worked for the original Tennessee Knitting Mills in Columbia, Tennessee as a young man and retired in 1978 from Arduini Manufacturing Corporation of Worcester, Massachusetts. After returning to Columbia, Tennessee in 1979 he then used his “retirement” as a “paper boy” for The Daily Herald until 2003 when he again retired at the age of 81. Ted was also a self-taught furniture maker, with the ability to just look at something and recreate it. He was a caring, loyal friend who enjoyed spending time in the ministry, deep sea fishing, camping, playing cards, and the beach. Ted lived a long, full and rich life especially as a spiritual man with full confidence in God’s Kingdom with the hope of a resurrection.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Phyllis Vick of Columbia, Sandy (Rick) Trammell of Lawrenceburg, DeeAnn Johnson of Columbia, Trish Maskew of Silver Spring, Maryland and Rachel (Dan) Bovee of Columbia. Grandchildren Tammy Holt and Cody Trammell of Lawrenceburg, Patrick (Nhi) Maskew, Meghan Maskew and Maya Maskew of Silver Spring, Maryland and Nick Bovee of Columbia. Great grandchildren Tiffany Woody of Columbia, Zachary Meade of Lawrenceburg, Ethan and Rahlyn Trammell of Baytown, Texas. One brother, Frank (Faye) Holt of Summertown, and one sister Nettie Sue Hinson of Hohenwald.

He was preceded in death by grandsons Robbie Woody, Austin and Matthew Bovee (infants), three brothers Leon Holt, Bill Holt, and Joe Holt; seven sisters, Bertha Kelley, Edna Dugger, Gladys Thornhill, Margaret Taylor, Rachel Mayo, Bonnie Hinson and Carolyn Page.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Avalon Hospice. With special appreciation for the loving and caring service rendered by Tim Brashears.