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Deborah Holder Obituary
Monday, August 23, 2021, at a local hospital.
Dr. Holder was born on May 10, 1957, to parents Buddy and Ona Irene Smeltzer in
Texarkana, Arkansas. Deborah loved teaching and education. She took on extra roles as a
wife, mother, and church servant to attain her educational degrees, finally obtaining an
EdD. in healthcare administration in 2010. She taught nursing at Texarkana College,
McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA, and at Panola College in Center, TX as an
instructor for over twenty years. She loved her work, her students, and was beloved by all
of those she taught. In her free time, she enjoyed decorating, gardening, photography, and
shopping. She was a wonderful woman with a servant's heart whose greatest joy in life was
taking care of those who surrounded her. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother,
sister, and friend.
She had a special gift of discernment, allowing her to support and counsel many who came
to her. She served faithfully as a pastor's wife and taught Bible classes for many years.
Like many in her family, she had a gift for music and often sang at church services and
events. Her life was her family, her church, and her calling.
She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau Kapp Psi, the National League for Nursing, and
Sigma Theta Tau International, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Texarkana, AR and the family
of God.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents and parents.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband of forty-five years, Dr. David G. Holder of
Texarkana, Texas; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Samuel and Melody Holder of
Rockwall, Texas, Caleb Holder of Texarkana, Texas; six grandchildren; two sisters and
brothers-in-law, Carolyn and Mike Lee of Texarkana, Texas, Rita and Chuck Sawyer of
Seattle, Washington; one brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Kayla Smeltzer of Texarkana,
Arkansas; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and a host of special friends.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 30, 2021, at 10:00 A.M. at Trinity Baptist
Church, Texarkana AR, with Reverend Tom Bruce officiating. Interment will be in Hillcrest
Memorial Park, Texarkana, Texas under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home,
Texarkana, Texas.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 29, 2021, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M at Texarkana
Funeral Home, Arkansas.
Memorials may be sent to Texarkana College Nursing Scholarship Fund, 2500 North
Robison Road, Texarkana, TX 75501 in Deborah's name.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Deborah Holder
Sponsored by Texarkana Funeral Home - Texas - Texarkana.
Belinda Shaver
September 1, 2021
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Barbara Buckley
August 30, 2021
She will be missed by so many. I'll miss what fun she was and the good times we had in our youth. She lived such a fulfilling life!
Stephen and Susan Fawcett
August 29, 2021
We were so saddened to hear of Debbie's passing. We have known Bro. David and Debbie for years. We love both of them and their family. Debbie was a great example of loving the Lord, loving her family and loving her church. We are praying for the family each day that they will have strength. We love the Holder family.
Sherry Jones
August 29, 2021
Best memory was women's retreat from Southside Baptist. Deborah's smile, laughter and warm heart were wonderful and that's the way I will always remember her. She was a true light in this world. Bro David, you
and your family have my deepest sympathy.
Judy and David Wood
August 29, 2021
Dr. Dave and Family, so very sorry for your loss. Remember God is close to the broken hearted. Love
Tania Cutone
August 29, 2021
I am very sorry for your families loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob Pool
August 27, 2021
David, my friend, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May our GOD always guide and comfort you.
Faye Allen
August 27, 2021
Deborah, I have loved you all your life and shall continue to do so as I enjoy sweet memories of you. What a wonderful thought knowing you are now in your heavenly home celebrating with Jesus, many loved ones and friends. There'll be no more sadness and no more pain for you dear girl.
Judy Hicks
August 27, 2021
Deborah was one of those rare people you cross in life that you just enjoy being around and hearing what they have to say. She will be missed by many. Praying for you, David and family. Judy Hicks
Michaela Todd
August 27, 2021
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Don and Lenora Martin
August 27, 2021
Praying for you and your family in this time of great loss.
Jerry Don and Pat E. Dorman
August 26, 2021
Bro. David and family, we are so sad for your loss of Deborah. She was a true friend and was always there for so many of us. We will never forget the time you served us as our Pastor. Deborah was so giving and outgoing. We are going to miss her even though, we know she is with her Lord and Savior. We love you and are keeping you in our prayers. The Jerry Don Dorman Family ~ Isaiah 40:31 ~ Jerry Don, Pat, Jeremy, Lance, Allison and girls ~ Carthage, Texas 75633
Regina dion
August 26, 2021
Rest in peace sweet Deborah . Going to miss you. You area wonderful woman if God. I was blessed what little time I knew you.
Donna Westbrook
August 26, 2021
Our Sincere Prayers And Condolences
To Bro.David and Family.
Ron and I always
We're Happy To Have Deborah and Bro. David as Our Servants and Friends
At Southside.
We have missed
Them.
RIP Deborah
Donna & Ron
Linda Marbury
August 26, 2021
Praying for you Dr. David and all of the family! God grant you peace and comfort during these days of grieving! I will never forget Deborah’s sweet smile and loving spirit! So glad our paths passed as we served at First Baptist of Sulphur sweet friend!
Rhonda Broussard
August 26, 2021
Deborah was a lovely person who always had a smile and made you feel welcome. It was a joy to see her on our visits to FBC Sulphur where she served so faithful alongside Dr. David. Our prayers are with the family and friends of this very special lady.
Dr. Arnold Shrewsbury
August 26, 2021
Dr. Deborah was a wonderful friend to my family and we loved her dearly. She left a beautiful legacy which will follow her for years to come. Dr. Dave and family, we love you and pray that as you grieve your great earthly loss , God grants you His peace and comfort.
Dr. Arnold Shrewsbury
Carthage, Texas
Steve and Dawn Noakley
August 25, 2021
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Angela Rushing
August 25, 2021
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Joy Sexton
August 25, 2021
So very sorry for your loss. Have know this family 50 plus years. I have not seen this young lady since she was a kid, looks like she did good in life, wish I would have ran into her. Prayers for comfort
Grace Haven
August 25, 2021
How blessed I was to have a cousin like Debbie. I remember her welcoming nature and her contagious smile. I remember us together as little girls in our Sunday best and my last memory is of her supporting my family when my stepmother passed. She will be missed by many but we count on seeing her again in glory when our time comes. I will always be proud to be her cousin, Grace Lynn
Kristin Vera
August 25, 2021
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Barry Sharp
August 25, 2021
We are very sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers.
Brett Perroux
August 25, 2021
Our prayers are with David and the entire family. A beautiful soul, gone too early.
Jerry Denny
August 25, 2021
Deborah, thank you for serving and sharing your life with our students and faculty at McNeese. You bloomed and grew where God placed you. We were blessed to have you share your love of nursing with us . Our prayers are with your family and friends. Jerry
Jimmy Livesay
August 25, 2021
David and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I pray the Lord will hold you and give you strength and comfort during these trying days. God bless you all.
Matt Matthews
August 25, 2021
Thanking God for you. Wonderful lady that showed God's grace.
Kelli Clark
August 25, 2021
Aunt Debbie, I will always cherish our memories together. You always had such a loving spirit and I will love you always. I thank you for being an inspiration and mentor to me through my nursing career. Rejoice in heaven and hug Mema and Papa tight for me. One day in heaven, we will be together again. I can only imagine how happy you are to be with our savior, Jesus Christ. I will see you in heaven one day. Love, your niece Kelli Clark.
Cathy MIssildine
August 25, 2021
My sincere condolences.
Rita Sawyer
August 25, 2021
My sweet, dear Sister. So hard to let you go. I know you must be in awe of your heavenly home and coming "Face to Face with Christ our Savior". What joy you must be experiencing. And to be we Daddy, Momma and your precious babies. You will never be forgotten. You knew how much I loved you. So enjoy your rest now.
Bobbie Brown
August 25, 2021
You and your family- always a sweet constant in my life, in my family. Now I look forward to us all being in Heaven together again one day as a constant, but for today, we pray for the grief of those left here, and the reviving of the BEST memories. Take care of Uncle Buddy and Aunt Irene, I know they are being good, and pinch Vic if he is not!
Lou Ella Humphrey
August 24, 2021
My dear Deborah, how can I begin to fathom that you are no longer alive? I first came to know you when you enrolled in one of the nursing classes I taught at Texarkana College. You were a joy to teach and quickly added a sweet spirit to the group. Through that relationship we became colleagues and dear friends. I count it a blessing that God put you in my life journey. It is hard saying good bye but God saw fit to call you home. May the peace that passes all understanding bring hope and healing to you and to your dear family and friends.
DARLENE SEWELL
August 24, 2021
She was my neighbor in our young years. Carolyn and her sisters have been my friends for 60 years. Love this family. Deborah will be missed. ♥♥♥
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