Queenie Lee Holt, 88, was unexpectedly called home to Glory on February 26, 2024. She was a Christian woman with a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, who looked forward to eternity with her Lord and Savior. “Miss Queenie” was beloved by her family and friends and will be remembered for her generous nature and her tremendous capacity for service to others. She was a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother, a dedicated friend, and a willing servant. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her passing is a tremendous loss, but it is also a time of celebration for a life well-lived and a reward well-earned. We are immensely grateful for the time we shared with her and will treasure our memories of her always.
Queenie was born to John Riley and Maggie Lena Firth on April 10, 1935 in Poquoson, Virginia. She was one of 13 children raised in a little house on Ridge Road. She attended Poquoson schools, graduated from Poquoson High School in June 1953 and married Charlie N. Holt on November 21 that same year in Newport, Tennessee. They moved from Poquoson, to Tabb, Virginia, then to Gloucester Point in 1982 and later to the Gloucester Court House area. Queenie and Charlie celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2023. She was a member of the Minnie Rowe Sunday School class at Gloucester Point Baptist Church for many years. Prior to joining GPBC, Queenie and Charlie were active members of Bethel Baptist Church in Tabb. While there, they worked together to help start the church bus ministry and served in other positions within the church.
“Miss Queenie” was employed by York County Public Schools as a full-time bus driver for the public school system. She worked for York County Public Schools for 39 years, and formed lasting bonds with hundreds of students, teachers, and staff. She drove special needs children for the last 15 years of her career before retiring in 2002. Following retirement, Queenie never slowed down. She dedicated many years of her life to caring for others, including those in poor health and/or disabled. She was extremely active and hard-working. She would mow her own yard, then load her mower onto a trailer and cut several other yards the same day. Recently, she could have been found on her garage roof tending to storm debris and fallen leaves. Her loss will be felt by the many who depended on her for help on a day-to-day basis. In addition, to her generosity of spirit, she contributed to a great many charities, furthering ministries and efforts that she felt led to support.
Queenie was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Nelson, John, Edd, Elijah Thomas (E.T.), and Gene, and by her sisters, Anna Fiese, Essie Firman, Shirley Rabon, and Judie Hogge. She is survived by her sister, Betty Adams. She is also survived by her husband; her sons, Darrell (Corie) of Gloucester, and Jerry (Jodee) of Grants Pass, Oregon, as well as her daughters, Connie Stewart (Brian) of Hayes, and Cathy Walton of Hayes. Together, Queenie and Charlie have 11 grandchildren including Michael Holt, Amy Holt, Jennifer Holt, Heather Petersen, Christopher Holt, Jeremy Holt, Megan Evans (Jakob), Alyssa Owens (Timothy), Lindsay Lopez (Alfredo), Colin Walton (Wendi), and Catelyn Pemberton. In addition, there are 18 precious great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. All were adored.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 8, 2024, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Gloucester Point Baptist Church, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 1 o’clock. Guests are cordially invited to join the family for a meal in the church fellowship hall following the service. Interment will be on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Parklawn-Wood Memorial Park in Hampton, Va. Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.