Alice Lafaye Holton, age 82, of Thomasville, Georgia passed away peacefully with her family by her side on February 27th, 2021. Alice was born on December 3rd, 1938 in Baxley, Georgia to Oliver Lewis Kersey Sr. and Mary Madie Kersey (Burke).
Alice came to Fernandina Beach in 1953 with David Jones and Marie Jones (Burke) who raised her from the age of 7. Alice graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 1956. Alice went to work at Rayonier Pulp and Paper mill in 1957 where she worked faithfully for 43 years until retirement in 2001. Alice married Charles C. Holton, Sr. in 1962 and remained married for 49 years until his death in 2011. Alice was a faithful and dedicated wife, mother, friend and most importantly a follower of Jesus Christ.
Charles and Alice had two sons, Chip and David to whom she dedicated herself completely to in every way. Alice avidly supported their athletic activities as a volunteer in multiple roles in Little League Baseball and the Booster Club in High School. You would always find Alice in the stands cheering loud and proud for her sons. As a pastor’s wife, Alice supported Charles fully in every pastoral role but it was her hospitality that set her apart. Alice made her house a home for all to come for comfort, love, conversation and most importantly her southern cooking. Charles and Alice moved to Thomasville, Georgia in 2006 to begin a new adventure. After Charles’ death in 2011, Alice embarked on her own personal journey. She grew her circle of friends with hospitality, wisdom and a loving heart. Alice was able to travel the world now. Alice traveled to Kenya on a mission trip sharing her love for Jesus and serving as only she could do. Alice’s trip to Israel was the trip of a lifetime for her. She was surrounded by loving, caring friends that allowed her to walk the Holy Land and at the age of 79, she was baptized in the Jordan River. Alice’s love of God was always seen through her beautiful smile, the way she lived her life and her open arms. She now rests peacefully in the arms of the Almighty.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles C. Holton Sr.; four brothers Buddy Kersey, Albert Kersey, Robert Kersey and Tom Jones; four sisters Waunell Mock, Lou Nell Williams, Dorothy Nida and Elaine Jones.
She is survived by her children, Chip (Susie) Holton of Mooresville, North Carolina and David (Tricia) Holton of Blythewood, South Carolina; 2 brothers, Joey Kersey(Monie) of Cleveland, Georgia and Carl Jones of Fernandina Beach; 2 sisters, Elwanda Johnson of Brunswick, Georgia and Sara (Larry) Laughter of Horse Shoe, North Carolina; 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; adopted- in- love, Rachelle (Gerald) Patten of Thomasville, Georgia, Gene Kaiser of Mooresville, North Carolina and 3 adopted- in- love grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Chevy Bryant, Trey Holton, Jon Holton, Tyler Holton, Tyler Hester and Jon Hester.
Honorary pallbearers will be Roger Holton Lonnie Holton, Joey Holton, John Cooper Robert Zipperer, Brett Sellers, Luther Garrett, Tommy Shave, Joel Stockstill, Ken Roland, Trey Dennard, Bowen Jones, Paul Harrell, Garry Delaney, John Turrentine, Ben Linquist, Ron Wilkerson and Charlie Lewis.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 6, 2021 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home.
Her family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the funeral home.
She will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.