Sue was born in Columbus on October 21, 1936, to Floyd Noah Ellerbee and Quincy Mims Ellerbee. Sue grew up in the Jordan-Johnson neighborhood and graduated from Columbus High School in 1954. She earned a degree in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University in December 1957.
On December 21, 1957, Sue married her high-school sweetheart, Fred Certain Holt, at Sherwood Presbyterian Church. Their marriage spanned nearly 63 years and a 21-year career in the United States Navy, during which Sue embraced the demanding role of a Navy wife while raising their four children. Fred preceded her in death on October 26, 2020.
After returning to Columbus, Sue and Fred became owners of Holt Service Company, the family heating and air conditioning business founded by Fred's father, Ralph Holt. It truly became a family affair, with several of their children working alongside them over the years. Sue later worked with Profit Strategies, founded by her son Andy, and also enjoyed substitute teaching. She was proud of each of these chapters of her working life.
Sue was an active member of Edgewood Presbyterian Church and was especially proud of serving as Exchangette President in support of the Exchange Club of Columbus. She enjoyed traveling the world with Fred, gardening, cooking, painting, and spending time with her growing family.
Above all, Sue treasured her family. She was the mother of four children: David Holt (Kelly), Andy Holt, Amy Spear (Rodney), and Ellen Posey (Allen). She was affectionately known as “Grandmother” to ten grandchildren: Chris Posey, Jessica Holt Hughes, Brian Posey, Stephanie Spear Barron, Steven Holt, Jennifer Holt McTiernan, Amanda Posey Higgs, Emily Spear Cronic, Allison Holt Blankenship and Quincy Holt and eleven great-grandchildren: Reagan Hughes, Madison Hughes, Jackson Hughes, Hayes Hughes, Carter Cronic, Walker Cronic, Avery Barron, Wiley Barron, Collier Holt, Evelyn, Blankenship and Henry Blankenship.
Sue will be remembered for her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, love of family, willingness to serve others, her awesome recipes (including chocolate sheet cake, buttermilk custard pie, pecan cookies, and legendary coleslaw) and those beautiful green eyes that could occasionally deliver an unforgettable “stink eye” when she was displeased with you.
Her approach to life's responsibilities could be summed up in six simple words: “You do what you gotta do.” Sue did just that throughout nearly 90 years of a life devoted to family, faith, service and love.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Abbey Presbyterian Student Center in Columbus, Georgia in honor of Fred & Sue Holt.
