Anthony Keith Holden

Anthony Keith Holden son of the Doris and the late Billie G. Holden, was born on September 6, 1969 in Washington, D.C. He was raised in his native city, attended District of Columbia Public Schools, and graduated from Calvin Coolidge High School.

Anthony was revered by his parents, loved by his sisters, and was a true pal to his friends.

He was resolved in his beliefs and opinions. He had an innate ability to convince others that his position was the most ideal, which oftentimes yielded interesting outcomes. One great example was when he convinced his friends that he could drive. He ambitiously borrowed his mom’s car without her knowledge and encouraged his friends that he will drive them to school. This resulted in a long route to Coolidge by way of Rockville Pike where his driving skills proved inadequate. This outcome yielded hitting a curb on Rockville Pike and breaking the “A’ frame on the car. He tried to persuade his dad that the car was broken prior to him driving it. However, his debate with mom didn’t prove in his favor. He was punished for two weeks.

Having two sisters, Wanda, and Stephanie, also provided him with the ability to use his persuasive skills. He could always convince Wanda, the naive older sister, to do almost anything even if it was ridiculous. He convinced her to allow him to drive her car around the block despite not having an official driving license. Anthony didn’t tell her that the block was in the Southeast. Wanda was furious because it took Anthony almost 2 hours to return from his drive around the block. In her normal response she cried and said, “Anthony you know that wasn’t right” and he responded girl you can’t be crying over something so stupid; I am back now.” He convinced her that she was crying for nothing.

Stephanie, the middle sister, wasn’t so gullible. However, he persuaded her to allow him to go outside to play in the backyard in-spite of being instructed to stay in the house while their mom wasn’t home. Anthony didn’t say he was going to play in his buddy’s backyard all the way and the other end of the alley. Their mom came home, and Anthony was nowhere around. When his mom asked, “boy where were you and why were you out of the house?” He tried to convince his mom that he was not far but only up the alley. She persuaded, debated, convinced, and encouraged both that going outside when you are not supposed to is never a good idea. Use your imagination to determine what happened next. Once that was finished, both were punished for 1 week despite Anthony being the one to disobey the rule.

His love of sports further cultivated his ability to debate and persuade others that his favorite teams were simply the best. Although school wasn’t his favorite activity, he seemed to have mastered statistics and incorporated the probability of an outcome into his debates. He was adamant that whatever team that the Redskins played they would lose by an 80% deficient. You would often hear him say “you crazy, they going to beat those people by…….”

Through the years, Anthony’s love of sports evolved from playing electric football, watching sports on the black and white television to playing competitive sports on Nintendo with his friends in the “Camp Skinny” lounge. Anthony was charismatic, cantankerous, friendly, and selective on who he allowed to be in his inner circle of friends. His inner circle of friends included but was not limited to his brother-in-law Charlie, Cedrick, Eric, Troy, Anthony Fields Fe-al, and John aka “Bruce Lee”. Many were considered surrogate big brothers. He also considered his nephrologist, Dr. Steven Burka, a great friend. As his nephew Stephen became older, he was later incorporated into this circle.

He enjoyed joking and laughing with family and friends. He could become angry and upset but you seldom would see him sad or dismayed. Despite his health challenges, Anthony always seems to be optimistic. He was a true son for his dad, protector of his mom, a rock for his sisters, and a mentor for his nephew, niece, and great niece. Oftentimes when he encountered health challenges, and they would worry. He would reassure them and say, “Don’t let that stuff worry you”, if it is the Lord’s will then it will be”.

On March 28, 2023, Anthony transitioned, it was the Lords’ Will. On this health journey he encountered many rough roads. Anthony understood that on this journey, he must Trust in the Lord ….and lean not to on his own understanding Proverbs 3:5-6. God reassured him to cast all his cares on him and he will make him a new creature in Christ. His path from suffering to glory became clear and he was persuaded as detailed in Romans 8:38-39 Anthony is no longer suffering. He has found a new sport, Walking around Heaven All Day.

Anthony was preceded in death by his father Billie G. Holden. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving mother Doris Holden, two sisters Wanda (Arthur), Stephanie (Charlie), a nephew Stephen (Alyce) a niece Zana, and a great niece Sophia, an Uncle Floyd (Da Sun), a special cousin Amanda, and a host of relatives and friends. He will be truly missed.