Mar 20, 2018

Nira Jean Wimberley Holt, 84, of McMurray, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, William Edward Holt, her husband of 63 years; parents Erastus and Tommie Wimberley; sister Gilda W. Ivey; and brother William Bruce Wimberley.

Mrs. Holt was born in Quincy, Fla., and moved with her husband and growing family to the Pittsburgh area in 1956.

A natural beauty, she won numerous beauty contests as a young woman, but it was her smile that could light up a room and her southern charm and warm, outgoing demeanor that earned her so many friends over the years. Her greatest joys and passions in life, however, came from being a wife and homemaker, raising three children and later being a loving and much-involved grandmother and great-grandmother.

Mrs. Holt was a woman of deep faith and conviction, who lived her life teaching her children and others how to love and respect each other and God. She was a devoted member of Peters Creek Baptist Church for 60 years, where she led some of the most creative Sunday school classes, sang in the choir, served as a deaconess and generously made herself available to anyone in need.

Her zest for life and love of nature were evident in everything she did, whether it was leading Girl Scout troops, gardening or enjoying wildlife and the outdoors through fishing, hiking, traveling and playing tennis. She was also a longstanding member of her church’s Bible study club, a member of the garden club and was a talented seamstress who taught her young daughters how to sew and made beautiful clothing for them and herself.

Surviving are three children, William Edward Holt Jr., Deborah René Holt (Philip) Campbell and Mary Rebecca Holt-Ulam; eight grandchildren, Jamie Holt (Nii) Addo, Audrey Holt (Brian) Swanson, Matthew Campbell, Graham Campbell, Andrew Campbell, Timothy (Lindsay) Ulam II, Amanda Ulam (Richard) Dunavent and Devin Ulam; five great-grandchildren; many special nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law, Barbara Coppins Holt and Joann Nason Wimberley.

The family will hold a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24, in Peters Creek Baptist Church, 6300 Library Road, South Park, PA 15129.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/Donate, or to Peters Creek Baptist Church, South Park.

To add or view tributes, visit www.beinhauer.com.