Barbara Jean Holden

April 7, 1940 - September 18, 2012

Mrs. Barbara Jean Holden, 72, passed away on September 18, 2012. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 21, 2012 at 3:00 PM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd., Columbus. Burial will follow in Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.

Mrs. Holden was born on April 7, 1940 to the late Ray Wayne and Irene Loveday in Knoxville, TN. She took pride in her career as a Registered Nurse having retired from the Columbus Regional Medical Center as the head E.R. Nurse, after 25 years of service. Upon retirement, she began her own company, Stat Medical Services, helping hospitals or doctors with staffing issues. Mrs. Holden spent numerous hours volunteering for the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society . She was also a contractor, having successfully built and sold several houses. Mrs. Holden loved life and her selfless nature was embraced by everyone, especially her loving family. She enjoyed dancing and was an avid Tennessee Volunteer football fan. Mrs. Holden was preceded in death by her first husband, William Holden.

Survivors include her husband, Alex Holden of Lawrenceville, GA; her daughter, Tracy Grier of Columbus, GA; two step-daughters, Jana Vlsenko of Atlanta, GA and Dasha Alexander of New York, NY; a step-son, Art Vlsenko of Atlanta, GA; two grandchildren, Kevin Grier and Kristy Grier; six great-grandchildren, Gracy Grier, Shevin Grier, Devin Grier, Madison Coker, Katerina Alexander and Vlada Vlsenko; a brother, Bill Ray Loveday; three sisters, Debbie Johnson, Sandra Hanshaw and Betty Davis; and many nieces and nephews.

Flowers will be accepted, but memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association , 1639 Bradley Park Dr., Ste. 500, #379, Columbus, GA 31904; the ASPCA, 424 East 92nd Street, New York, NY 10128 or The American Cancer Society , P.O. Box 29427, Atlanta, GA 30359.