Marie Holt Williams, 84, died January 14, 2007, after a long illness. She is the beloved mother of Winston (Janet) Holt, Berea; Brenda (Jim) Lambert, Mt. Vernon; Ken (Carolyn) Holt, Mt. Vernon; and Wendell Holt, Berea. Also, she is survived by a brother, Everett Hensley, Grays Knob, KY, and three stepsons: Danny Williams, Dennis Williams, and Pascal Williams. A Kentucky Colonel and a member of West Side Baptist Church, Marie is the widow of Losco Holt, who died in 1961, and of John N. Williams, who died in 1996.


Born in Pittsburg, KY, on January 12, 1923, daughter of Cam Hensley and Nellie Blevins Hensley, Marie grew up in Laurel and Bell counties. When she and Losco married in 1942, they lived in Disputana, Ky and later moved into the house that Losco built in Berea, where she resided for over 60 years. Marie cared for and nurtured numerous children in the community, often babysitting six children daily. She was affectionately known as Mamaw to family, friends, and neighborhood children for whom she always fixed meals and broken hearts. She gave her children and grandchildren wonderful memories of special foods and activities by celebrating each child's birthday and making all holidays magical.


She will be missed greatly by her nine grandchildren: Kevin Holt, William Holt, Neureul Holt Jones, Sean Gentry, Adam Holt, Ashlie Holt, Michael Holt, Jennifer Holt, and Tyler Holt; five great-grandchildren: Natasha Riley, Sahara Gentry, Lindsey Gentry, Chelsea Holt, and Lila Holt; several nieces and nephews, especially Gerald (Peggy) Miracle and Doriss (Paul) Meineke; and special friends—Mabel Todd, Susan Holt, Marie Jennings, Lanita Blair, Barbara Williams, and Eula Estridge.


The visitation is Tuesday, January 16, from 6-9 pm at Lakes Funeral Home, Berea, and the funeral service will be conducted January 17 at 1 p.m. at the West Side Baptist Church with Rev. George Waddle and Rev. Allen Livingood presiding. The graveside service will be at the A.T. Abney Cemetery adjacent to Macedonia Baptist Church. Pallbearers are Sean Gentry, Michael Holt, Tyler Holt, Adam Holt, Danny Williams, and Jeff Miracle. Honorary pallbearers are William Holt, Gerald Miracle, Tom Jones, Kenny Brown, Tony Brown, and Joe Husband.