JERRY DEAN HOLDEN

JERRY DEAN HOLDEN, a resident of Bartlett, former resident of the Arlington Community and husband of Betty Ann Cocke Holden died Monday morning, February 8, 2010 at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis where he had been a patient for five days. He was 69 years of age and died following a six-month illness.

Funeral services for Mr. Holden were conducted at 11 A.M. Friday, February 12th at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Rev. Doyal Long, Biblical Guidance and Pastoral Care Minister of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, officiating. Interment followed in the Arlington Cemetery at Arlington, Tennessee. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Holden was born January 10, 1941 in Fayette County near Arlington the son of the late John Robert Holden and the late Beatrice Miles Holden.

He was educated in the Arlington Public School System and was married October 25, 1958 to the former Betty Ann Cocke of Fayette County, who survives.

Mr. Holden was a longtime Freight Hauler for companies including Gordons Transport and Trans Con Freightways before retiring for health reasons.

He was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church and was a family oriented person who was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Proud of his heritage, Mr. Holden enjoyed the rural way of life, and his favorite pastimes included owning and repairing "hot rods", tractors and farming.

He was a gifted conversationalist who enjoyed the friendships of many. His compassion, his engaging smile and his camaraderie will be truly missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his beloved wife of 51 years, survivors of Mr. Holden include three daughters: Cherry Sparks (Perry) of Cordova, Sandy McCord (Stan) of Memphis and Lisa Felts (Mark) of Cordova; two sons, Jerry Allen Holden (Leigh) of Cordova and Jerry Dean Holden, II (Cris) of Bells, TN; his brother, Bob Holden of Leesville, LA and his eight precious grandchildren: Candi Sparks, Kasey Sparks, Blake Holden Felts, Taylor Felts, Shelby Holden, Jacob Holden, Noah Holden and Dillon Holden.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were Michael Brown, Blake Felts, Mark Felts, "Bubba" Harrison, Stan McCord and Perry Sparks.

Honorary casket bearers were Taylor Felts, Dillon Holden, Jacob Holden and Noah Holden.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Shelby or Fayette County Chapters of the American Cancer Society, 1378 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104-3623; Phone: (901) 278-2000.