Jo Ruth Holden

Jo Ruth Holden passed away peacefully on August 17, 2021, surrounded by her loving family at home. 

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 20, 2021 at Restland Cemetery, with Rev. Wray Nunn officiating.

Jo Ruth was born on January 23, 1948 to Gerald Bernard and Betty Ruth States. She married Charles Holden on August 29, 1964 and together they raised nine children of their own, as well as countless others. She was known to many as “Mamaw”, including family, friends and neighbors. Jo Ruth was a true testament as one of God’s children, loving selflessly. She would do anything for anyone, even if that meant she did without. Her home was always open. Complete strangers who knocked on her door were greeted with a “come in” and left as friends. She never wanted to see anyone go hungry and would share a meal or give what she had to anyone. She also had a deep love for animals. Not only would she feed any stray that wandered into her yard, she had numerous pets she loved over the years. Most recently, she had a beloved dog, Odie, who brought great joy to her life. Jo Ruth was a wonderful caregiver. That was her calling. She spent the majority of her life as a homemaker, caring for her family. Once she decided to join the workforce, she worked as a home health attendant and also worked at Hillside Nursing and Rehabilitation and Coryell Memorial Hospital, again, tending to the needs of others. She loved caring for others and it showed.

Jo Ruth will be greatly missed but there is comfort knowing she is rejoicing in Heaven with so many family members and friends she lost over the years. She was the best Momma and Mamaw her family could ask for!

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; parents; brother, Charles States; and grandson, Matthew Key.

She is survived by her children, Ricky Holden and wife, Michele, Mickey Holden and wife, Donna, Teresa Lewis and husband, Monte, Rebecca Holden, Pamela Rudolph, Janice Velasquez and husband, Jamie, Lisa Holden and (Dustin Bryant), Mandi Holden and (Doug Hill), Brandi Smith and husband, Cobi; sister, Johnny Pick and husband, Joe; twenty three grandchildren and twenty seven great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom consider her a mother.