Davis Talmadge Holder

Talmadge was born September 17, 1932, to Katie Josephine Royal Holder and Charlie Patrick Holder. He was the second of four children. He is predeceased by his sister, Faye Holder Bryant, and brothers, Kenneth Holder and Jimmy Nat Holder. Talmadge and Mozelle married on March 3, 1954. Mozelle had her eye on Talmadge from the time she was in 7th grade. She saw Talmadge washing the windows outside her classroom at school. She told her friend that one day she was going to marry that boy and that she did! Talmadge worked for the Enterprise Aluminum Company for 18 years. He then became a farmer and owner of Holder Fertilizer Company. Besides his wife of over 58 years, Talmadge is survived by his son, Andy and daughter-in-law Diane and his daughter Dixie Holder Turk and son-in-law, Earnest. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Brandy Turk Huskins and husband Chris, Rachel Turk Lewis and husband Jeffrey, JD Talmadge Holder and Crystal Holder Collis and husband, Ty, and seven great-grandchildren, Cam, Lily Grace and Sylvie Kate Huskins, Charlie Drake Lewis, Hunter JD Holder, Daisy Holder and Andrew Collis. Talmadge was an avid hunter and fisherman from his childhood until his death. Few have done more to promote and preserve the sport for future generations. In his final years one could hardly have a conversation with him when he didn’t ask how much longer it was until Mozelle took him back to South Dakota to go pheasant hunting. Talmadge gave his life to Christ and was saved in 1975. He was officially certified by the Methodist Church to be a Lay Speaker in 2002 and was later ordained as a minister by Pastor Wendall Thomas on September 26, 2005. He preached at Central Methodist Church for many years until his health began failing him. He never wanted people to talk about what he did. He just wanted to know that the people he preached and ministered to knew Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to Darrell McIntire who was more help to us in caring for Grandaddy over the past few years than we can put into words. The family received friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m., prior to a 2:00 p.m. graveside service on Monday, January 21, 2013, at Friendship Church in Eatonton with Pastor Carol Davis officiating. Andy Holder gave the welcome and opening words. Pastor Wendall Thomas gave a message and Chris Huskins gave special thanks on behalf of the family and told tales of hunting with Talmadge. Others also came forward to speak not only his great love of hunting but of Jesus Christ and the many lives he touched by witnessing for the Lord while he was living. Mr. Dudley Horton closed the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions can be made to Friendship Church, 329 Hillsboro Road, Eatonton, Georgia 31024. Williams Funeral Home of Eatonton has charge of arrangments.

Davis Talmadge Holder

September 17, 1932 - January 20, 2013