Charles Truman Holt

Charles Truman Holt (90) World War II Veteran and longtime Montgomery resident passed away on Friday, May 17, 2013 due to complications from a fractured pelvis in March. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21st at Leak Memory Chapel with visitation at 10:00am. Rev. Glen Pugh of Aldersgate United Methodist Church will be officiating. Burial will follow the funeral at Greenwood Cemetery, pallbearers are Willis Holt, Louis Holt, Stan Holt, Max Gantt, Kendall Allen and Kenny Holt.

Truman was born November 20, 1922 the third of four children of Lindsey and Evie Holt of Titus, Ala. He was a talented musician who grew up playing guitar and mandolin with his grandfather and brothers. He was a member of the 1934-35 Championship Basketball Team at Sewell Memorial School and later graduated from Wetumpka High School in 1941. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1943 and shortly thereafter married Odessa Boddie Holt. Truman served in the 766th order, Black Panther division of the U.S. Army in France and Germany, he was awarded three medals for his service including the World War II Victory Medal and a commendation for good behavior. Following the war, Truman and his wife raised their family in Montgomery where he worked for Alaga Syrup and Whitfield Pickle Company and was a choir member and deacon at Morningview Baptist Church. He enjoyed bluegrass music, family barbecues, Robert E. Lee High football games, and weekends at the family’s cabin on Lake Martin.

Later, Truman married Sara Myrick Holt and enjoyed many years of traveling. They were married 33 years and made multiple coast-to-coast treks, including stops in Nova Scotia and Alaska. After several years of residence in Cleveland, Ga., Truman and Sara returned to Montgomery in 2006 where they were members of Aldersgate United Methodist. Truman and Sara were avid fans of Alabama and the Atlanta Braves.

Truman spent his last year and a half in residence at the Oak Grove Inn in Grove Park where he made many new friends, enjoyed Friday night dances, and walks in the garden.

Truman was preceded in death by his wife, Sara, parents Lindsey and Evie, brother Ed Holt and sister Mattie Louise Allen, also of Titus. Survivors include his brother Harlen Holt (Mobile, Ala.) and his four children Michael (Brenda) Holt of Birmingham, Ala., Paulette (Tom) Johnson of North Myrtle Beach, SC, Cindy (Tom) O’Neil of St. Augustine, Fla., and Amy (Mike) Echols of Tuscaloosa, Ala. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Truman’s name to Aldersgate United Methodist Church.