Lester C. Holt Sr.

Lester Coleman Holt, Sr., of Jackson, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at Mississippi State Veterans Home in Collins. Visitation will be Friday, October 11, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Services will be held in the funeral home chapel Friday at 1 p.m. with interment to follow at Lakewood South Cemetery.

He was born February 28, 1924 in Attala County to the late James Carson Holt and Hazel Harvey Holt.

Lester graduated high school French Camp in May of 1943 and a week later he was drafted into the U.S. Army and later transferred into the U.S. Army Air Force. He was a Veteran of World War II. After the war, he joined the Air Force Reserve until 1955. He then joined the 172nd Mississippi Air National Guard, retiring in 1981, after 38 years of service.

He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1981 with 36 years of service. He was member of the Levell Woods Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rites Body of Jackson, the Wahabi Shrine Temple of Jackson, and the American Legion Post 91 in Jackson.

He was an active member of Woodville Heights Baptist Church in Jackson for 42 years and served as a deacon and held various other positions.

Mr. Holt is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife of 48 years, Sybil Cook Holt; son, Lester Holt, Jr.; brother, Doyle Holt of Columbia; and sisters, Ann Miller of West, Nell Horne of Kosciusko, and Bonnie Sue Yates of Kosciusko.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline O'Keefe Holt, his daughter, Sherri H. Kyzar and husband Glenn of Ruth; brother, J.C. Holt of Kosciusko; sister-in-law, Arvis Cook Holt of Columbia; grandchildren, Brandi Chalk and husband Brad of Jackson, Christopher Holt of Vicksburg, Jason Kyzar and wife Jessica of Brookhaven, Justin Kyzar of Ruth; one great granddaughter, Kaitlyn Kyzar; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the French Camp Academy.