Lillian D. Holt

Lillian “Ma” D. Holt was born on February 15, 1928 to Hester Daise Washington and Walter “Sonny” Daise on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. A woman of never-ending faith and sharp wit, Lillian was the middle child of eleven children and attended Penn School. She moved to Philadelphia where she met and married, James L. Holt. Their union produced five loving children and they settled in Portsmouth, Virginia where she lived until her passing. Lillian worked for 20 years at Naval Air Rework Facility before retiring.

The heart of the Daise Family, Lillian was affectionately known as “Ma” by both family and friends alike. She cared for many as if they were her own children and she was a constant source of love, support, and  laughter. She was also an avid gardener who enjoyed sitting in the sun, doing word-search puzzles, and reading her bible.

On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, Lillian was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven after a brief period of illness. She  was preceded in death by two sons: Derwin “Derby” Holt and James “Junnie” Holt Jr.; brothers:  Harold, Sandy, Sidney, and Thomas Daise; and sisters: Beaulah Holmes, Geneva Jones, and Rosa Lee McNeal.

She is survived by two sons: Robert Davis and Sidney Holt; a daughter: Vera Davis; two sisters: Katie Daise (St. Helena Island, SC) and Lucille Daise (New York, NY); a brother: Walter Daise (St. Helena Island, SC); ten grandchildren: Cindy Holt (Seattle, WA), Katalina Holt (Norfolk, VA), Joanne (David) McElroy (Fall River, MA), Natalie Holt (Norfolk, VA),  Derwin Holt Jr., Mary Holt (Virginia Beach, VA), Shannon Davis (Washington, DC), Lacey (Corey) Marcelin (Nashville, TN), Morgan (Tommy) Beaulieu (Enfield, CT),  Ayana Esau; eight-great grand children, and a host of other family and friends.

A graveside funeral will be held at Cedar Grove Cemetery on St. Helena Island, South Carolina.

Matthew 6:34 “Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself”