Zelma Lee Staples Holder
Zelma Lee Staples Holder, age 93, formerly of Conyers, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2021, at The Retreat Nursing Home in Monticello.
Zelma Holder was born in Conyers, on September 11, 1927, to the late Will Avery Staples and Myrtice Duke Staples. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Eugene Holder and brother, Walter Avery Staples.
Zelma attended business college and modeled in Atlanta, where she met Ralph Holder while he was stationed at Fort McPherson after World War II. After finishing business college in 1953, they married on July 11, 1953 and moved to Dallas, Texas where Ralph took a job with MayHew, a supplier for Hughes Oil and Zelma worked at Southland Life Insurance Company. ‘
They built a house on what was then the northeastern frontier of Dallas and had two sons, Greg born in 1956 and Dewayne born in 1958.
In 1962, they moved back to Georgia where both took jobs with the U.S. Army. Both worked first at Atlanta Army Depot (Fort Gillem) and then Fort McPherson. Zelma retired from FORSCOM at Fort McPherson in 1989.
Greg and Dewayne started school in the Rockdale County School system.
Zelma was an active member of Rockdale Baptist Church during which time she participated in the senior choir. She enjoyed spending time with family, traveling with her friends, painting and working in her flower gardens.
She is survived by her sons, Gregory (Shawne) Holder of Monticello and Dewayne (Robin) Holder of Gallup, New Mexico; grandchildren, Stuart (Nina) Holder of Winder and Melissa H. (Matthew) Chizek of Southern Pines, N.C.; and great-grandchildren, Blake Holder, Amzi Holder, Mason Gates and Archer Chizek.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 7, 2021, at the chapel of Jordan Funeral Home. Interment at Lorraine Cemetery, 4140 Union Church Road, McDonough, Ga. 30252. Rev. Jon VanDeventer, MDiv officiated.
The family suggests donations to the Monticello Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 38, Monticello, Ga. 31064.
Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visit its website at www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.