Virginia F. Holder

Virginia F. (Rowland) Holder, 85, of Poplar Bluff died Friday, March 13, 2009 in Poplar Bluff.

Mrs. Holder was born June 10, 1923 in Paragould (Greene County), Ark. She was educated in the Arkansas School Public Schools, and her bachelor and master degrees were earned from Arkansas State University. There she became a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an honorary society in education. Mrs. Holder was a former member of Delta Kappa Gamma International, a professional teacher's sorority. She came to Poplar Bluff in 1945 as a teacher in the Old Mark Twain School. Forty-one years of service were completed in the Poplar Bluff Schools serving as an elementary teacher and principal. These schools included New Mark Twain, Oak Grove, Kinyon and Lake Road. She was a lifetime member of the National Education Assoc., and the local and state retirement organizations. Mrs. Holder was a member of the First Baptist Church of Poplar Bluff, and was a member of the Senior Citizenship Club, also of Poplar Bluff. She enjoyed traveling.

On June 11, 1945 she was married to Merrell O. Holder. He preceded her in death on April 26, 1995.

Mrs. Holder is survived by two nieces: Leesa Rowland, of New York City and Karen Rowland, of Sweden; special friends and caregivers, Carroll and Margaret Odom of Poplar Bluff; and special friends, Bill and Rosalie Jones of Poplar Bluff.

Her parents, William Bryan and Clellie (Ellington) Rowland and brother, George W. Rowland also preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 12 - 1 p.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Monday in the Chapel with the Rev. John Gilbert officiating. Burial will be at Randolph Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Pocahontas, Ark.