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In Memory Of
Marilyn L. Holt
1931 2020

Marilyn L. Holt

September 20, 1931 — December 27, 2020

Marilyn Lucille (Johnson) Holt, age 89, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, went to heaven to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 27, 2020, with her daughters, Amy & Martha at her side. She was a beautiful woman of great faith, strength, courage and determination, who touched many lives during her earthly journey.

Marilyn was born in Missouri Valley, Iowa on September 20, 1931 to George and Eleanor (Olsen) Johnson who farmed near Missouri Valley. She attended a one-room country school through 9th grade and graduated from Missouri Valley High School in 1950. Her greatest passions in life were her faith, her family, cooking and reading. She firmly believed one could never have or read too many books!

She married Victor Miller on December 17, 1949. They moved from Iowa to Kansas where their first child was born. In 1952, they moved back to Iowa, sold their home, purchased a house trailer and moved to the Florida Keys. They settled on Big Pine Key, 30 miles from Key West and 20 miles from Marathon. Seventy years ago, that was quite the experience! The Keys were quite isolated and water and electricity were available only along the Overseas Highway from Homestead to Key West. They lived some distance from the highway. Fresh water was available by digging a square out of the marl (actually coral) and installing a pump. The level of the water ebbed and flowed with the tide; if you dug your well too deep the water would be brackish.

The couple separated and eventually divorced with Marilyn moving to Orlando in 1957 with their four small children to be near her parents.

Marilyn married Garland Holt on May 31, 1968. She became a stay-at-home Mom after the birth of their daughters until the girls were in middle school. She then worked as a temp, becoming a full time employee at Dataline Systems, Inc. where she worked until retirement in 1999.

Marilyn was an active 62-year-member of Faith Baptist Church, long involved in children's and women's ministries and the Missions Committee. In recent years, she treasured her weekly participation in the Joy Fellowship Bible Study with dear friends.

Marilyn is survived by her six children: Daniel Miller (Terry), Chapel Hill, NC; Charles Miller (Leslie), Marathon, FL; Mark Miller, Vero Beach, FL; Martha Wells (Jeff), Concord, NH; Amy Holt, Orlando; and, Julie Holt Shaffer (Brian), Yorktown, VA. Seven grandchildren: Lauren Miller Hooper, Erika Miller Wilson; Seth Shaffer, Isaac Shaffer, Elisha Shaffer, Katharine Wells and Christopher Wells. And, 2 precious great-grandchildren: Asher Charles Wilson and Emilia Jean Hooper. She is also survived by her brother, David Johnson (Priscilla), Georgetown, KY and sister-in-law, Evangelia Johnson. She was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Garland Holt; her parents; sister Aileen Johnson; and, brother Glenn Johnson.

A Celebration of Marilyn's life will be held later in 2021.

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