Dwight Holder

Dwight Andrew Holder, 82, of 1841 Belle Shoals Road, husband of Jessie Mauldin Holder, passed away on March 27, 2005, at Greenville Memorial Hospital. For many years, he has also maintained a home in Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head Island. He was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church in Pickens, S.C.

Born on September 23, 1922, he was the son of the late Harold and Flora Holder of Pickens. He attended Presbyterian College and the University of South Carolina before serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He later attended Harvard Business College.

He owned and operated several businesses based in South Carolina. Most notably, he founded Hillcrest Memorial Park, one of the first perpetual care cemeteries in South Carolina, and eventually grew the cemetery business throughout the Southeast. In addition, he was a founder of the Pickens Bank and helped establish several other banks and investment companies throughout the state. He also served on numerous civic, corporate, educational, and government boards throughout the Southeast including Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Sea Pines Corporation, Founding Director of the Heritage Classic Golf Tournament, Stewart Enterprises, Inc. of New Orleans, La., Service Corp. International of Houston, Texas, Pickens Savings and Loan (President), Cannon Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, Garden City Chapel By The Sea, Garden City Beach, S.C., NationsBank of S.C., Dillard Memorial Funeral Home, Furman University, North Greenville College, and Limestone College.

As a person with vision and leadership, he served two terms in the S.C. House of Representatives and was Chairman of the Inaugural Committees for Governors Robert E. McNair, John C. West, and Richard Riley. Additionally, he served as chairman of two Southern Governors' Conferences and one National Governors' Conference. Active in the efforts to recruit new businesses to the state, he was awarded South Carolina's first Order of the Palmetto. Mr. Holder was instrumental in the creation of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and served as the chairman for a number of years. Also, he was former chairman of the South Carolina Jobs Economic Development Authority and Santee Cooper, the South Carolina Public Service Authority.

Mr. Holder was also active in the Hejaz Shrine Temple of Greenville, S.C., serving as a Past Potentate and was elected President of the Southeastern Shriners' Association. He assisted in the organization of the Pickens Rotary Club, the Pickens Junior Chamber of Commerce, and served as Chairman of the Pickens County Planning and Development Board. He was a member of the Poinsett Club, Pickens County Country Club and Sea Pines Country Club.

In addition to being survived by his wife, Jessie, of 60 years, he is survived by his daughters, Susan H. Colvin of Easley and Jan H. Dulin of Pickens, along with son-in-law Buddy Dulin. He was predeceased by a son, Frederick Davidson Holder. Surviving grandchildren are Holly C. Bolling (and her husband, Chad) of Greenville, Andrew E. Colvin (and his wife, Ginger) of Columbia, W. Adam Taylor, Joanna C. Cone, and Barton F. Cone of Pickens, Dwight B. "Beau" Taylor of Fort Campbell, Ky., Thad Dulin of Clemson, Sarah Dulin of Washington, D.C., and Tucker Dulin of San Diego, Calif. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Andrew, Emily, Connor and Evan Bolling of Greenville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605-4277.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 29, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Pickens with entombment immediately following at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Holder Family Mausoleum. Visitation services will be held tonight, March 28, 2005, from 6 to 9 at Dillard Memorial Funeral Home of Pickens.

Dillard Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.