Nira Jean Wimberley Holt

Published 11:59 am Monday, March 19, 2018

Nira Jean Wimberley Holt

March 14, 2018

Nira Jean Wimberley Holt of McMurray, Pa., passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at the age of 84.

She was predeceased by the love of her life William Edward Holt, her husband of 63 years; parents Erastus and Tommie Wimberley; sister Gilda W. Ivey and brother William Bruce Wimberley.

Nira was born in Quincy, Florida, and moved with her husband and growing family to the Pittsburgh area in 1956. A natural beauty, Nira won numerous beauty contests as a young woman, but it was her smile that could light up a room, her southern charm, and warm, outgoing demeanor that earned her so many friends over the years. Her greatest joys and passions in life, however, came from being a wife and homemaker, raising three children, and later as a loving and much involved grandmother and great-grandmother.

Nira was a woman of deep faith and conviction who lived her life teaching her children and others how to love and respect each other and God. She was a devoted member of the Peters Creek Baptist Church for 60 years, where she led some of the most creative Sunday School classes, sang in the church choir, served as a deaconess, and generously made herself available to anyone in need. Her zest for life and love of nature were evident in everything she did, whether it was leading Girl Scouts troops, gardening, or enjoying wildlife and the outdoors through fishing, hiking, traveling, and playing tennis. She was also a longstanding member of her church’s bible study club, a member of the garden club, and was a talented seamstress who taught her young daughters how to sew and made beautiful clothing for them and herself.

Nira is survived by three children, William Edward Holt, Jr., and her daughters Deborah René Holt (Philip) Campbell and Mary Rebecca Holt-Ulam; grandchildren Jamie Holt (Nii) Addo, Audrey Holt (Brian) Swanson; Matthew Campbell, Graham Campbell, Andrew Campbell; Timothy (Lindsay) Ulam II, Amanda Ulam (Richard) Dunavent, Devin Ulam; five great- grandchildren; many special nieces and nephews; and sister-in-laws Barbara Coppins Holt and Joann Nason Wimberley.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life on March 24, 2018, at 2 p.m., at Peters Creek Baptist Church, 6300 Library Road, South Park, PA 15129. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org/Donate, or Peters Creek Baptist Church. Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauer.com.