Alma Holtzclaw

Little River, NC
Alma Hamilton Holtzclaw, 89, died Thursday, March 17, 2011, at her home in Penrose, North Carolina. Born in Henderson County, she was the daughter of the late Devereaux and Maggie Hamilton. Her husband of 54 years, Elmer Holtzclaw, predeceased her as did a brother, Malcolm Hamilton, and a sister, Azalea Patterson.

Alma lived in the Little River community for most of her life. She was active in her church for many years, singing in the choir and teaching Sunday School classes for both youth and adults. She worked in the Transylvania County Schools system, first at Penrose Elementary and then as the secretary at Straus Elementary for more than twenty years. She loved her work and loved the people she worked with, taking both young children and teachers under her wings, loving and encouraging them.

She is survived by a daughter, Donys-Kaye Merrill and husband, Raymond, of Penrose; a son, Darius-Wan Holtzclaw, and wife, Krista, of New Port Richey, Florida; a sister, Jo Roberts, of Penrose; four grandchildren - Marisa Bryson, Joffrey Merrill, Crystal Holtzclaw and Whitney Holtzclaw; and several nieces and nephews.

Alma was many things to many people - a daughter, a wife, a sister, an aunt, a mom, and a grandmom. Her family was her life-she loved and was much loved.

Funeral services will be held at Little River Baptist Church, Sunday, March 20, 2011, at 3:00 pm with visitation one hour prior to the service and interment in the Little River Baptist Church cemetery immediately following the service. The Rev. Chris Farmer will be conducting the services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Little River Baptist Church Building Fund, 51 Little River Church Road, Penrose, NC 28766.

To send a condolence to the Holtzclaw family, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .

Moore Funeral Home is caring for the family.