Lizella, GA—Graveside Services for Mrs. Jessie Markins Holder Coley, 85, who entered her heavenly home August 13, 2020, will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock in Macon Memorial Park with Rev. Chris Minton officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside service. Those attending are requested to wear a mask and social distancing will be practiced.
Mrs. Coley, born in Barnesville, Georgia, was a life-long resident of the Macon and Lizella area prior to moving to North Augusta, South Carolina two years ago. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Samuel Markins and Nancy Louise Clark Markins; the father of her children, Donald E. Holder; her former husband, James “Buddy” Coley; a son, John Darrell Holder; a sister, Joan Markins Dyche; a brother, Bobby Markins.
Mrs. Coley retired from the Keebler Company as Packing Department Clerk with 42 years of service. She was an active member of Lizella Baptist Church, a former member of Rivoli Crossing Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday School and Children’s Church Teacher. Mrs. Coley was a member of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and was chosen as their Volunteer of the Year in 2013.
Mrs. Coley enjoyed helping and ministering to others through a mission that she and her late husband, Buddy, began in 2002. Their mission provided clothing and other essential items to Lake Traverse Indian Reservation located in Sisseton, South Dakota for over fifteen years. She enjoyed baking chocolate cakes, sweet potato pies, and pecan pies sharing them with friends. During the Christmas Season, she loved delivering Christmas cards and candy to the Salvation Army, Macon Rescue Mission, Hephzibah Children’s Home and local nursing homes. After relocating to North Augusta, she expanded her mission through First Baptist Church of North Augusta and prepared gift-filled shoeboxes that were distributed through Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child to boys and girls around the world.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Lynn Holder, Griffin, GA; a daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Rusty Anderson, North Augusta, SC; six grandchildren, Lindsey Holder, Chris Holder, Natalie Lovingood (Travis), Jeremy Holder, Jesslyn Pearson (Zach) and Rachel Holder; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Randy Markins, Macon, GA; two nieces; one nephew and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, 1925 Broadway, Macon, GA 31206.
Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.