Travis Holder

Travis Leon Holder was born in Winston County, Mississippi, on October 3, 1938, the third son to Clyde Hilton and Mary Sue (Gregory) Holder. He was born to sharecroppers and grew up picking cotton with his two brothers and two sisters. He attended Calhoun School and then Winston School, what is now known as Nanih Waiya. After high school, he moved to Chicago to work and send money home to his parents. He shared an apartment with his brother, Ralph. It was during this time he was blessed with his first nephew, Ricky, who he always considered another son.

In 1961, while visiting his parents in Noxapater, he went to pick up his sisters from school. It was then he saw Bobbie White for the first time, his sister Kitty’s best friend. He had heard about her, but they had not yet met. He thought she was the most beautiful young lady he had ever seen. Kitty introduced them and it was instant love – they went on to marry on May 12, 1962, two days before Travis left for Basic Training with the National Guard. At that time ladies were not allowed to attend school if they were married. In order to complete her junior year of high school, Bobbie kept their marriage a secret until the end of the school year.

Travis and Bobbie started their family at the end of the next year with the birth of Paul. He was followed 14 months later by Melissa. The two red-headed siblings were joined by Mark the next year. The houseful of three under four was loud, busy, and happy. But, Travis knew something was missing. Eight years later he convinced Bobbie to have another baby (actually, he asked for three more and Bobbie agreed to ONE more). Alicia Dawn rounded out the family.

Travis worked at Georgia-Pacific from the year they opened in 1966 until he retired in 2000. It was then that Travis and Bobbie started their favorite chapter of their life together – retirement. Unlike so many couples who need time away from one another, they did not want to be apart. They did projects together, traveled to see their children and grandchildren, babysat grandbabies, gardened, and simply enjoyed their beautiful life together.

The unexpected death of Travis on April 25, 2025, at the age of 86 was sudden and shocking. But his family knows that one wish he had was to never be confined to a bed and unable to do for himself. God showed grace to Travis and his family knows he is no longer in pain.

Travis was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter-in-law Brenda Holder, his older brothers Henry Holder and Ralph Holder, his younger sister Betty Parker, and a newborn baby brother. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Bobbie. His son Paul Holder and wife Sharon, of Georgia; his daughter Melissa Nail and husband Richard, of Indiana; his son Mark Holder and wife Sheri of Nebraska; his daughter Alicia Dawn Cole of Louisville; and his nephew and honorary son, Rick Holder and wife Lynn of Illinois. He is also survived by nine grandchildren who loved and adored him: Sean Davis and Clay; April Dawn Wilson and Alex; Jake Nail and Katie; Topper Nail and Rachel; Rebecca Harris and Shane; Travis Alan Holder; Savannah Stanley and Colby; Samuel Travis Cole and Macayla; and Alexandra McDonald and Brandon. He is also survived by his honorary grandchildren Brittany Dempsey Dickerson and Kali Rae Dempsey Rogers. The joy of his later years was the blessing of great-grandchildren: Riley Dawn, Rowan, Brooks, Jamie, Loralei, Charlie, Mackenzie, and he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Malachai this fall. He is also survived by his baby sister Kitty Spears and nieces and nephews and their families.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 A. M. on Monday, April 28th, at Porter Funeral Home, with Dr. Mason Joy and Rev. Gary Beam officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the funeral home. Interment will be in Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Sean Davis, Jake Nail, Topper Nail, Travis Alan Holder, Samuel Travis Cole, and Colby Stanley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Brandon McDonald and Alex Wilson.

Memorials in Travis’ memory may be made to Christian Motorcycle Assn, www.cmausa.org, # 148847.