1936-2025
Freddie Lee ‘F.H.’ Holt, Jr. was born on April 19, 1936 in Grady, Arkansas to the late Freddie Lee Holt, Sr. and Celie (Ice) Holt. He was the youngest boy of eight siblings, Arthur, Rosalie, Ernestine, Hattie, Willie, and Leatha Mae, unfortunately losing the twin sister, Reatha Mae, at birth. Due to the tragedy of his parents’ death, he and his siblings joined the household of George and Girstine Jeffery, Sr. which increased his sibling number to twenty-two. He grew up helping with chores and farming as a quick learner with a curious mind. In his young adult years, he learned to work with his hands, welding, electrical and other manual labor. These odd jobs would often send him to other locations throughout Arkansas and the U.S.
Upon returning to Arkansas in the late 50’s, he met and married Jeraldine Polk and adopted her young son, Stanley. To this union were born seven more children with two gaining their angel wings. He began to work with his brother Arthur Holt as a carpenter. After learning from the best, he was soon able to take on small jobs. This would lead to him being called upon by the people of Stuttgart and surrounding areas to repair, reconstruct or build. He took on the task of working for others while building a new home for his family. During this time in his life, he also became affectionately known as ‘Smiley’, which may have been the cause of the production of five other children. He was a busy builder with a hobby of playing cards. In the early 80’s, he became a Shriner in the Assassin Temple #215. He excelled at becoming a 3rd Degree Master Mason, a 32nd Degree Prince Hall Mason, a Royal Arch Mason and a Drill Team Mason.
In 1982, he married Helen White and helped parent three children. Though Freddie had grown up attending Mt. Calvary COGIC as a child, his wife would lead him back to his home church. He dedicated his life to Christ under the leadership of Elder Clarence Guydon. He continued as a faithful member under Elder Joe Davis and Pastor, Elder Frederick B. Jeffery.
In 1997, he wedded the late Doris Wofford and gained four more children and a special granddaughter. He assisted his wife in opening an ice cream parlor, and he became known as ‘The Handyman’. Together they would continue to serve the community and their church. He served as Chairman of the Church Board of Directors, as Sunday School Superintendent and a Deacon. He loved his church and attended regularly until his passing.
Freddie is survived by seven sons, Anthony (Jeanette) Holt of Memphis, TN, Garland (Dana) Holt of Jacksonville, AR, Mr. Holt of Jackson, MS, Vincent (Monica) White and Shawn Jackson of Stuttgart, AR, Cedric Adkins and Ray Timmons of Chicago, IL; nine daughters, Fredina Holt, Tammy Holt, Serrenda (Steven) Reed and Erica of Stuttgart, AR, Clarisse Porter of Houston, TX, Sandi (Leato) Walker of Little Rock, AR, Iretha (Fred) Burleson of Oklahoma City, OK, Angela (David) Jones and LeTeisha Timmons (Walter) of Chicago, IL and special Goddaughter, Antoinette Hodges of Jackson, MS. He is also survived by three brothers, Frederick (Barbara) Jeffery of Stuttgart, AR, Larry (Emma) Jeffery of Almyra, AR and Andre’ (Tammy) Jeffery of Conway, AR; nine sisters, Hattie Holt of Detroit, MI, Demetrice Guydon of Almyra, AR, Mary Ann Wofford, Lillie Jeffery, Deborah (Paul) Brown, Glenda Hall of Stuttgart, AR, Rose (Elliot) Stovall of Arlington, TX, Pearl St. Clair of Jacksonville, FL, and Legirtha (Dennis) Adams of Sterling Heights, MI; Sister-In-Law, Bessie Jeffery and Brother-In-Law, Samual Hankins of Almyra, AR. He leaves a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews and countless cousins within the Ice, Lamb, Pendleton, Briggs and Griffin families and life-long friends, Theopolus ‘DayDay’ Johnson and Donald ‘DJ’ Jones.
He lived a good life, cruising and traveling the world with Doris and her sisters and sometimes with Chiquita, nd being his own boss. In 2022, Freddie Holt was the Guest of Honor at a Family Patriarchal Celebration. He loved family gatherings, church, good food at Golden Corral, “getting up on his bed” to nap, and watching Gunsmoke. In the end, Freddie’s wishes to be in the house that he built were carried out and Peace welcomed him home in the early morning hours on April 1, 2025.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 12, 2025 2:00 PM Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ 2001 River Road Stuttgart, AR 72160
