Nelda Page "Holt" Johnson

Mrs. Nelda Holt (Cabell) Johnson, 87, passed away peacefully, while surrounded by her husband, children, and grandchildren on September 4, 2025. A native of Southampton County, Virginia, Nelda was born to Shelton and Mary Salone Holt. She was known as a devoted wife, nurturing mother, treasured grandmother and great-grandmother (Ma Ma), and a loyal and loving friend. She will be remembered for her unwavering strength and graceful spirit of kindness, grace, and compassion for others. Always expressing gratitude and caring thoughts about the needs of others, especially her beloved Charlie, close friends, and her special babies – her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Nelda's life can best be described by six words: Faith, Family, Friends. Fellowship, Food, and Fun. In her almost 88 years here with us, she experienced an abundance of each. In her early years, she lived in Sedley, Virginia. She graduated from Ivor High School with honors as the salutatorian. She would later marry Newit Edward Cabell, Junior., and together they had two children, Debra Page Cabell (Bradshaw) and Steven Brooks Cabell. They later moved to Tarboro, North Carolina, where they raised their family and formed lifelong friendships. In 1998, Nelda married John Charles Johnson, Senior (Charlie), and welcomed two more children into her heart: Elizabeth Worth Johnson (Beth) and John Charles Johnson, Junior. (Chuck). Throughout this time, she found joy in creating a beautiful and gracious home to share with her growing family and lifelong friends.

Nelda lived a life filled with creativity, joy, and generosity. She loved music, singing, and shagging, and delighted in sharing her talents with family and friends. A master seamstress and drapery designer, Nelda also had the hands of an artist-creating beauty through her gardening, floral arranging, party planning, and baking. She was a talented artist, capturing the beauty of landscapes, birds, flowers, and fruit in her paintings and drawings, each piece reflecting her love for nature and her eye for detail. She had a true gift for making the ordinary feel special and the special feel unforgettable. Her cooking was another extension of her love; every meal she prepared carried her warmth and care.

She was also an avid reader who loved getting lost in a good book, and she enjoyed the challenge and camaraderie of playing bridge and spades with friends. She connected her wit and wisdom by writing beautiful and whimsical poetry that memorably captured the essence of life. Over the years, she was an active member of the Tarboro Women's Club, the Garden Club, and the Red Hat Ladies, where she built lasting friendships and shared her love of fellowship, fun, and community. Nelda cherished time spent traveling with those she loved, finding joy in new places and adventure.

Nelda had a unique gift for making all things beautiful and special. Her home and gatherings were always marked by warmth, elegance, and thoughtful touches that reflected her caring spirit. Her legacy of love, laughter, and artistry will be remembered and treasured

by all who knew her. She considered herself blessed by the love of her family and friends, and that love will always surround her memory. Her family and friends take comfort in knowing she is walking in peace and enjoying the beautiful gardens of heaven.

Nelda was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Salone (Holt) Brooks and Roy Lewis Brooks, her sister Mary Ann Holt Harrell, her brother Shelton Earl Holt, and her son-in-law, Mahlon Kemp Bradshaw. Nelda is survived by her loving husband, John Charles Johnson, Senior (Charlie), daughter Debra Cabell Bradshaw, and son Steven Brooks Cabell, Senior. (Beth), stepdaughter Elizabeth Worth Johnson, and stepson John Charles Johnson, Junior (Pamela); grandchildren: Justin Kemp Bradshaw, Senior, Brent Cabell Bradshaw (Jameson), Steven Brooks Cabell, Junior (Rebecca), Marisa Cabell Davis (Jefferson), Madison Williams Cabell, Casey Johnson Dutton (David), John Charles Johnson, III; Clark Willis Hardy, great-grandchildren: Steven Brooks Cabell, III, William Bennett Cabell, Lillian Grey Davis, Staton Cabell Davis, Maisy June Davis, Justin Kemp Bradshaw, II, Sloan Butler Bradshaw, Clara Charles Dutton, and Henrietta Davis Bradshaw. Her family will never forget the love she brought to their lives.

The family will receive friends at 1 PM followed by a service in celebration of Nelda's life at 2 PM on Tuesday, September 9th, at First Baptist Church. A graveside service will follow at Edgecombe Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund: First Baptist Church, 605 North Main Street, Tarboro, North Carolina 27886.

Arrangements are by Carlise Funeral Home.