Lelia Holton

Lelia E. Holton CHESAPEAKE - Lelia E. Holton, 87, of the 1300 block of Bells Mill Road, was called by God and ushered by angels into heaven Friday, Nov. 19, 2010. Lelia was born in Moyock, N.C., and resided in Chesapeake since 1953. A mother to five children, she was active in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and was assistant Brownie leader. She was Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Great Bridge Chapter No. 155 from 1974 to 1975. Lelia loved to crochet and made dozens of baby blankets for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild, as well as other expectant mothers. If she saw an expectant mother in her church, she would make a baby blanket to wrap the baby for the trip home from the hospital. Lelia and her husband were members of the Holiday Ramblers Recreational Vehicle Club and in their motor home have traveled in 49 states, Alaska, Acapulco, Mexico, Eastern and Western Canada. As snow birds for more than 36 years, they spent six months in Virginia and six months in Florida, Arizona, or Texas. For recreation, Lelia and O.T. were square dancers, having danced in many of the states they traveled, as far north as Anchorage, Alaska, and as far south on a cruise ship in the Caribbean Sea. Lelia was a faithful member of Great Bridge Baptist Church and made her Sunday morning attendance priority one. She knew Jesus as her Savior. Even when she fought illness, her faith was strong and unwavering in God's mercy and love. Lelia is survived by her loving husband of 69 ½ years, O. T. Holton Jr.; five children, O. T. Holton III and wife Dora, Harvey F. Holton and wife Brenda, Darlene Bain and husband Jim and twins, Martin W. Holton and wife Tammy and Marie L. Pepe and husband Daniel; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. The love Lelia had in her heart for her family will never die, it will multiply and will live in the hearts and minds of her children, their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren for many generations to come. She will be missed, but never forgotten. May God grant unto her the heavenly blessings of the spiritual world. With His love and mercy, comfort and strengthen those who suffer in her passing. The family would like to express sincere gratitude for the many cards, letters, calls of concern, and prayers for Lelia during her illness. A special thank you to nurses Francine and Linda of Comfort Care Hospice and Chesapeake Regional Home Care Services. The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 22, at Great Bridge Baptist Church, 640 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake. Dr. Will Langford and the Rev. Charles L. Moseley will officiate. The interment will follow in Chesapeake Memorial Gardens. The viewing will begin on Sunday with the family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Great Bridge Chapel of Oman Funeral Home & Crematory, 653 Cedar Road, Chesapeake. Friends are invited to sign the online guest book at www.omanfh.com.