Photo courtesy of Conkle Funeral Home, Speedway Chapel - Speedway
Speedway, Indiana
May 30, 1932 – Dec 13, 2023
Jeanetta Blanche Holder, 91, of Bowling Green, KY; also, a resident of Indiana, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at Greenview Hospital in Bowling Green, KY
.Jeanetta was well known as the “Quilt Lady.” From 1976 - 2023 she hand-crafted race quilts for the Indy 500 winners, Country Music Artists; Jay Leno, Johnny Carson, The Grand Ole Opry, John Ritter, and General Norman Schwarzkopf. Also, she was well known many years for her skills as an interior decorator.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Holder; a daughter, Cora Jane Holder; sons, Fred Holder, Frank Holder, and Henry “Hank” Owens.
Survivors include her brother, Donnie Pearson; Niece, Kayla Howard (Rooks Howard); daughters, Mamie Eaton and Addie Plew; sons, Robert Holder and Kelly Bailey.
In lieu of flowers: please consider donations to the following organizations:
Rich Vogler Memorial Scholarship Foundation
richvoglerscholarship.com
https://richvoglerscholarship.com
St. Jude Hospital
St Jude.org Official Site - Give the Gift of Thanks
Visitation will be held at Cone Funeral Home on January 3rd, 2024 from 2:00-5:00pm. Following that; visitation will also be held at Conkle Funeral Home, Speedway, Indiana on January 4th, 2024 3:00-7:00 pm and services to conclude on Friday, January 5th, 2024 at 10 am. The burial will be in West Ridge Park Cemetery.
Read MoreMrs Holder contacted me in 2015 when my mother died. She had been raised by Robert Lee Claypool, who was a relative of my mother. Regretfully, I never went to see her. I always thought that "someday" I would visit her. So sorry I missed my opportunity. RIP.
Thomas Morris
May 11, 2024 | Bowling Green, KY | Friend
I have been attending the Indianapolis 500 for almost 20 years and on one of my first visits on Community Day I was seated by the picnic tables having lunch when Ms. Holder came over and introduced herself and struck up a conversation giving me suggestions of things to see at the track, places to visit in Indianapolis as well as telling me about her quilts. Every year since then, we would see each other at the track and visit for a while catching up and sharing our thoughts on the upcoming...
Mike Allen
January 05, 2024 | Milwaukee, WI | Friend
I have attended every Indy 500 since 1972. On Saturday, the day before the race, we would go to the Speedway Hotel as part of our routine, and see if we could meet any celebrities. This tradition started around 2004. Jeanetta was set up in the hotel lobby, with one of her quilts. Sitting with Jeanetta was Lloyd Ruby, who had competed in several Indy 500's. Jeanetta introduced herself, and introduced us to Lloyd. So every year, from then on, I made it a point to stop in and visit with...
Mark Lewkowicz
January 04, 2024 | Romulus, MI | Acquaintance
Aunt Jeanetta was my favorite Aunt. We shared many talks by phone. She always managed to lift my spirits, as I found myself absorbed in listening to the latest thing she was involved in. She had an energy and stamina that was unique for age and I was extremely proud of her accomplishments. I got to visit her farm and we sat on her porch and enjoyed the hummingbirds that she fed. They were a source of joy for her. She expressed her love for the Lord and I know we will be together again.
Donna Atherton
January 02, 2024 | Indianapolis, IN
Joyce Tharp I liked talking to her. I thought she was funny . The first time I had a conversation with her was in the grocery store .We talked, maybe close to an hour and I had groceries in the cart. Well, I had to put back some items that were thawing lol. Since that conversation we had talks on the phone and she always made me laugh Rest in peace and continue those laughs upstairs, Jeanetta
Joyce Tharp
December 25, 2023 | Friend
What can I say, this lady has been in our racing family for as long as I and many of my cohorts have and what a witty, feisty gal. The last I talked to her, she had her juicy little tidbits and we laughed so much. Through all of our years together we discovered what a small world the racing world can be, discovering that she and her hubby years ago lived right behind my Grandma and further that her her husband worked for my Dad at Allison's. She may have been born in Kentucky but came to be a...
Kay Nichols
December 20, 2023 | Friend
Jeanetta was always so happy to be at the track and talk about her quilts. As a yellow shirt I enjoyed seeing her and the ray of sunshine that she spread. I will miss you Jeanetta. Kenny Hammel
Kenneth Hammel
December 20, 2023 | Work
Jeanetta would bring her chimichangas to the studio and party while I was on the air. RIP beautiful lady.
Ken Speck
December 20, 2023 | Friend
My time with her and our love of searching our roots.
Mary Jane Blake
December 19, 2023