Edna Marie Ogan Holt

      “Anything is possible.” That is what Edna Marie Holt believed about life. She was a creative woman, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting her. She had faith in her ability to find those solutions. Edna thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. She possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Edna was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do.

       Her parents were Charles and Hattie Ogan. Edna was raised in Tennessee. She showed her ingenuity even as a child. When she was confronted with a problem, Edna could develop an imaginative solution, and she derived satisfaction from knowing she had that ability.

      This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Edna's family relationships. Edna was raised with seven siblings. She had Dave, Lewis, Doris, Sue, Mert, Polly and Charlotte (Tootsie). When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Edna was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

      As a young girl, Edna could be found building and inventing new and different things. She was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. As a child, Edna was a bit of a tomboy.

      Edna was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around her. Always interested in her friends’ activities and interests, Edna was uncritical of her acquaintances. She was sought after by people who recognized that she was generous with her time and energy, and these same friends found Edna to be very stimulating company. Edna's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around her. Later in life, she became friends with Vicki Shupe, Betty Dotson, Maryann Roach, Sudie Dotson and many more.

       Edna was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Edna married to Dwain Holt on August 23, 1960 in Morristown, Tennessee by a Justice of the Peace. Edna was able to bring out the best in others. Edna was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to her spouse’s needs. She was a vibrant personality and she enjoyed verbally sparring with Dwain. She was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Dwain's.

      Edna's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced her relationship with her children. Edna was blessed with three children, Cheryl, Kim and Tony. They were also blessed with three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; grandchildren, Kristy, Nathan and Kelly King and great-grandchildren, Skye King, Jerimiah Crider and Rylin King. Someone who was quick to laugh, Edna found it easy to spend lots of time with her children, but she was never overbearing or guilty of pushing herself on them.

      Edna's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for her. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Edna was always searching for new and unusual activities, she developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things she became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew her, but most friends and family understood that Edna simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. Her favorite pursuits were laughing and making others laugh, dancing, reading, working crossword puzzles and just simply enjoying life.

      Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Edna. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Edna to expand her ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Edna loved to travel and meet new people.

      Edna passed away on January 29, 2010 at Morristown Hamblen Healthcare System. She is survived by husband, Dwain; children, Cheryl, Kim and Tony; grandchildren, Kristy, Nathan and Kelly; great-grandchildren, Skye King, Jerimiah Crider and Rylin King. Services were held at Stubblefield Funeral Home. Edna was laid to rest in Hamblen Memory Gardens in Morristown, Tennessee.

      During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Edna. She met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Edna was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around her could not. For Edna, the traditional way of doing things fell short of her expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Edna Marie Holt, the fun of living her life could be found in the challenge.