Jo Holt

Helen Josephine "Jo" Holt passed away on Friday, July 29, 2022 at the age of 83.  Jo, a native of Horry County, S. Carolina, was born June 3, 1939 to the late John Bert Prince, Jr.  & Marie Gaskins Prince. After graduation from Loris High School, she attended Wake Forest University and then Stetson University, where she received a BA in Business Education in 1960.  In 1960, Jo began her first year of teaching at Edgewater High School, Edgewater, FL.  The family moved to Cook County in 1971 and Jo taught at Cook High School, retiring in 1999.    

For several years when Jo was in South Carolina, she chaired the Jaycee state committee that conducted the Miss S. Carolina beauty pageant. Jo was a member of First Baptist Church of Adel being very active in Sunday School, where she taught the Queen Esther Class for many years. She also provided devotionals for Sunshine Pals and women’s ministries. The Pilot Club of Adel was a part of Jo’s life since 2000 and she served as President in 2016-2017. Under her leadership, the Club was recognized with several State and International Awards.    

Jo enjoyed St. Augustine beach for 44 years, making memories with her children and grandchildren at her residence there. Jo loved to attend cultural events, with plays and musicals being among her favorites. 

Survivors include her husband, Thomas Theodore "Ted" Holt of Adel and her daughters, Jane Marie Holt Wilson of Dalton and Becky Holt Thompson (Tim) of St. Augustine, FL, two grandchildren, Mitchell David Wilson and Macy Kathryn Wilson, both of Washington, D.C.; her brother, John Bert Prince, III (Betty Jean) of Tifton; nieces and nephews, Heather Prince Stripling (John), Heidi Prince Massey (Robert), all of Tifton and John Bert "Jay" Prince, IV of Valdosta, John Lee Whidden (Carrie), Jr. of Nashville, Rev. Julie Whidden Long (Rev. Jody) of Macon, Beth Blomgren Karnes (Jason) of Wilmette, Ill, and Brian Blomgren (Debbie) of Dunwoody, GA. and several great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Nancy Prince Whidden. 

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 11:00 a.m at First Baptist of Adel with Rev. Julie Whidden Long and Rev. Jody Long officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn City Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Serving as active pallbearers will be Brent Dixon, Don Huckaby, Gary Cooksey, Dwight Purvis, Austin Stripling, and Charlie Massey.  Members of the Pilot Club of Adel and the Queen Esther Sunday School Class will serve as honorary pallbearers.                                                         

In lieu of flowers, contributions to First Baptist Church or the Pilot Club of Adel Projects would be accepted and appreciated.

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