Elizabeth "Boots" Whitten Holden

Martinez, GA – Entered into rest on Saturday, December 28, 2024, Elizabeth Whitten Holden, 86, loving wife of 65 years to the late James Raymond Holden.

Boots was born in Atlanta on Oct. 24,1938, to the late F .H. “Buck” and Essa Powell Whitten. Her young mother contracted tuberculosis and passed away when Boots was six years old, and Boots and her brother, Wayne, went to live at the Hillside Cottages orphanage in Atlanta for several years. Boots later lived with an aunt in Augusta, where she graduated from the Academy of Richmond County and later attended Emory University. She met her husband-to-be, Jim Holden, in Augusta and the two were married in 1958. They started their family in Atlanta. The family returned to the Augusta area until Jim took them on an adventurous move to St. Thomas, USVI. They returned home two years later and the next adventure was to Appling, where Boots loved to work in her garden. It was there that Boots began her long career in real estate. After many great years with Meybohm Realty, where she established her real estate career and ultimately served as sales manager, she founded her own company, Boots Holden Real Estate, where she continued to serve the industry and community. She dearly loved the many friends she made over the years. The titles of Mom and Granny were her favorite roles.

During her career, Boots was recognized as a Life Member of the Augusta Board of Realtors Million Dollar Club, and as Realtor of the Year in 1985. She served as President of the Augusta Board of Realtors in 1988, as Woman of the year for the Augusta Women’s Council of Realtors in 1982, and as President of the Women’s Council in 1983-1984. She served as a Regional Director of the Georgia Board of Realtors from 1998-2000. Boots loved community service. She was the first woman to serve as President of the Board of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Board of Directors of the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce. She was named Boss of the Year in 1996 by the Augusta Jaycees, and served on the Board of Directors of Augusta Technical College.

Family members include her daughter: Michelle Holden Paschal and her husband Barry; son: James Raymond “Jimmy” Holden Jr.; grandchildren: Essa Elizabeth Paschal Jones and husband Gregory, Eleanor Jane Paschal Dosch and husband Matthew, and Annie Grace Paschal; great-grandchildren: Rivers Griffin Jones, Grey Whitten Jones, Essa Bailey Jones, and Sadie Michelle Dosch; brother: Wayne Edward Whitten and wife Michele; nephews John William “Bill” Holden III and wife Donna, and Randolph Owen “Randy” Holden; great-nieces, Carson Leigh Holden Ward and husband Cooper, and Mary Reeves Holden; niece, Stacie Whitten Chadwick and husband Scot, great nephew, Taylor Chadwick, and great nieces, Grace and Essa Chadwick; beloved caregivers Ton ya Dent, James Jones, and Shelia Palmer; and faithful companion Kaylee. Boots’ family also expresses appreciation for the assistance of Regency Hospice.

The memorial service will be held Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Church of the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, 473 Fury’s Ferry Road, Martinez, with the Rev. Greg Hatfield officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather after the service at the home of her daughter, 828 Jasmine Trail, Evans, to celebrate Boots’ life.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706)364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com.