Richard Holt Jr.

Richard Holt, Jr. was born on November 8, 1944 in Coldwater, Mississippi to Arillie Taylor and Richard Holt, Sr.  Richard was the second born child out of 24 children. Richard grew up in Pritchett, Mississippi alongside 17 of his siblings: Estella Hill, Nancy Strong, Olivia Holt, Elnora Holt, Silas Holt, Jeff Holt, Ruby Lee Jackson, James Earl Doss, Jettie Doss, George Doss, Annie Lee Doss, Lucy Mae Doss, Bessie Lee Doss, Arillie Doss, Willie Jean Doss, Victoria Doss, and Jeanette Doss. With Richard being the second oldest child, he would take it upon himself to help his mother rear and provide for his brothers and sisters.  He started working at the tender age of 6 years old.  One of his first jobs was in the cotton fields of Mississippi.  By the time Richard was 9 years old, he had progressed from picking cotton to driving a tractor on the plantation, on which they lived.  In order for Richard to adequately help his mother provide for his sisters and brothers, he would need to drop out of school at a very early age, which he did.  Richard would then take on various jobs such as road work. He would help build and construct Highway 3 off Highway 51, which is a major Highway in Memphis, Tennessee.  With limited work opportunities in Mississippi, Richard decided to go to Florida and look for work there.  While in Florida, he worked in shipyards.  Once that work ran out, he ventured back to Mississippi.

Once Richard got back home to Mississippi, he met and married, Ola Mae Burns.  Richard and Ola Mae wed in December 1963, in Memphis, Tennessee.  To this union, they shared seven beautiful children: Lovie Moore, Richard Holt, III, Jacquline Smith, Stanley Holt, Audrey Edwards Holt, Lamiesha Young, and DeKitrist Holt. Richard and Ola Mae’s marriage was later dissolved.

During this time, Richard would be employed by Scott’s Appliances which took him to the doorsteps of Graceland.  Richard would have the opportunity of delivering appliances to the late Elvis Presley.  Richard would often tell the story of how Elvis would seem to always wet his floors upon the delivery of his appliances seemingly to make it difficult for the delivery guys.  LOL, Richard said he believed that Elvis never failed to make a point to do this.

In 1971, while working for Scott’s Appliances, Richard made some bad choices and was incarcerated.  While incarcerated, he heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and immediately upon his release, he was baptized by Brother Richard Pike of the Church of Christ.  Richard continued his walk with Jesus Christ, leading his own family to Christ and converting other family members and friends along the way.

In 1973, Richard followed his sister Ruby Lee and his brother, Jeff to Denver, Colorado, in search of a better life for him and his family.  At that time, Richard placed membership at the Boston Street Church of Christ.  He found work at the United Meat Packing House, where he labored for 6 years, until that company would go bankrupt.  Being the hard worker and provider that he was, he did not just give up on his decision to live and try to succeed in Colorado.  He applied for the Regional Transportation District, RTD.  He would need to go back and get his GED, so he then began to homeschool himself as he also would need to get his CDL for his job which he so wanted.  Richard was successful in getting his CDL, and he would also get hired on with RTD, where he worked until the day he passed.

Richard would meet and marry, Lucy Torres.  Born to this union was Clara Arillie Holt.  Lucy preceded Richard in death.  Later, Richard would meet Fine Otukolo and they would marry.  Born to this union were David Holt and Nunia Holt.

When Richard was not at church serving, or working, you could often find him studying or teaching the Word of God, looking for a good fishing bank, frying fish for his children and grandchildren or traveling to find a hunting hole.  Richard also had a real love for music and his music genre was endless.  Some of his favorite artists were, and by no means, limited to Sam Cooke, John Lee Hooker, Tanya Tucker, Charlie Pride, Stevie Wonder, Solomon Burke, Muddy Waters, Zapp & Roger, and Gospel Songs, were his all-time favorites.

Richard Holt, Jr. departed this life on January 25, 2021. He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Lovie (Vernon) Moore, Richard Holt, III, Jacquiline (Alton) Smith, Stanley (Vanessa) Holt, Audrey Edwards Holt, Lamiesha (Carlos) Young, DeKitrist Holt, Clara Holt, David Holt, and Nunia (Royce) Tiller; his siblings, Nancy Strong of Memphis, TN, George Doss of Archdale, AZ, Ruby Lee Jackson, Willie Jean Doss, Victoria Doss, and Jeanette Doss all of Denver, CO; 27 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and a host of Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ, some of whom he worshiped with at Holly Street Church of Christ.