Rev. Dr. J. Mack Holt

The Reverend Dr. James M. Holt was born in Dothan, Alabama, to the late Georgia and Ocie Holt, Sr., on September 18, 1931. He was the oldest of his three siblings: Nathan, Ruth, and Ocie, Jr. He was baptized at the age of nine by the late Rev. John L. Peterson, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Roselle, New Jersey. Reverend Holt would share with family and friends of those early years when he worked loading wood trucks.
Reverend Holt is a 1950 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, Elizabeth, New Jersey. With a work ethic second to none, he worked diligently as a pin setter at the local bowling alleys. Then, with the voice of Uncle Sam in his head, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in December of 1951. As he progressed through the 31 years, 1 month, and 1 day of military service, Reverend Holt received his degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland. He completed work on his Master's Degree at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received a Doctorate of Divinity from Monrovia College, West Africa.
During these years of service, he rose through the ranks of the United States Air Force, attaining the highest rank of non-commissioned officer, but he also aligned himself in the Lord's Army and answered the call of God on his life to "Go" and preach the gospel. Endorsement from the National Baptist Convention of America for the United States Air Force Chaplaincy provided official approval to render services in the Air Force Base Chapel, i.e., marriages and teaching services.
Reverend Holt accepted the call to preach in 1974 and was presented with his Certificate of License. Upon receiving his License to preach, he served as Associate and later, Assistant Pastor of the Macedonia Baptist Church, Altus, Oklahoma. He was called to the pastorate of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Snyder, Oklahoma, in December 1975, where he served until his departure from Korea in June 1976. In February 1979, he accepted the pastorate of the Solid Rock Baptist Church, Dover, where he served until 1981.
Retiring from the United States Air Force on 1 February 1983 with 31+years of service. He was called to the pastorate of Mt. Enon the same evening. From 1983 until 2011, he faithfully and honorably discharged his duty as a preacher of the gospel, the pastor of the Mount Enon Baptist Church, and a Community Leader.
Rev. Dr. J. Mack Holt leaves to cherish his memory, his bride of 73 years, Norma; two daughters; Sandra L. Surman, and Mary A. Sanders-Moore (Carl); preceded in death by his son, Michael Holt (and survived by wife, Rhonda Holt); grandchildren, Bryan (Courtney); Gregory (Jeffifer), Michael, Marshal, E. Brandon, Daniel (Gwen), Michael (Katie), and Jazmine; great-grands, Tyree, Paris, Semajah, Layla, Nasima, Malik, and Beth. Humbly Submitted the Rev. (Dr.) J. Mack Holt Family