Abigail Coy Holley

Abigail Coy Holley flew across our Greensboro sky like a shooting star. After a courageous and brief battle with cancer, Abby was welcomed into the loving arms of her faithful Lord Jesus on Reformation Sunday, October 31. Anybody that knew her was aware that her relationship with Him was the most important thing in her life and informed everything that she did.

Abby moved to Greensboro in July of 2019 to pursue her doctorate degree in voice at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Blessed with a beautiful, warm mezzo-soprano voice, in her short time in Greensboro, she sang the roles of Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus and the Principessa in Suor Angelica at UNCG, and she appeared with Greensboro Opera in Pagliacci and last summer’s Eastern Music Festival collaboration, Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy.” Prior to coming to Greensboro, she was a leading principal singer in productions of The Gondoliers, The Yeoman of the Guard, and The Pirates of Penzance with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston. She was a gifted teacher, as well, serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the UNCG School of Music, leading classes in Singers’ Diction, Class Voice and teaching private voice lessons.

Abby not only made an immediate impact on all who heard her sing but also with her wonderful skill as a pianist. Abby was a mainstay and favorite at Well-Spring Life Plan Community, playing music from the 1930’s and 1940’s and classic films during dinner hour and for a special program which was recorded and broadcast to all of the Well-Spring residents. She also played the piano for services at Christ Covenant Church, ministering deeply to the congregation with the passion and love with which she played.

Abby was definitely an “old soul” and loved classic literature and films, often joking that she was born in the wrong generation. Originally from Houston, TX, she was an avid swimmer and loved the beach. She was thrilled to move back to the Mid-Atlantic region of the country, close to the Atlantic Ocean where she and her family vacationed in Ocean City, NJ. She and her husband David loved their frequent trips to the Outer Banks, attempting to visit as many lighthouses as time would allow. Abby also fostered a love for tall ships, decorating the living room with many model replicas of the Mayflower, Cutty Sark, HMS Victory and others.

Abby leaves behind her loving husband David and his three sons, Jordan (Madison), Jonathan and Joshua. She is also survived by her father, James Coy, mother, Susan Coy and brother, Ian Coy all of Houston. Her sweet Siamese cat, KoKo, and his companion, Lily, will dearly miss her.

The family will receive guests from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, Sunday, November 7 at Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm Chapel and Abby’s life will be celebrated at 6:30 PM, Tuesday, November 9 at Christ Covenant Church with Reverend Neil Stewart officiating.

Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to Christ Covenant Church, 811 Jefferson Rd., Greensboro, NC 27410. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.