Earl Monroe Holder

Earl Monroe Holder, age 85, of Broadway, NC, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025 at his home.

Earl was born in Harnett County on October 12, 1940 to the late William Ithra Holder and Mina Holder. Earl’s first wife Janette Holder died in a car accident in 1964 after only 5 years of marriage. In 1968 he married Edith “Jeanette” Cox and they shared over 57 loving years together until her passing in August 2025. Earl retired form Whitin-Roberts where he worked in maintenance and then worked 5 years at Gary Thomas Farms. He was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church, in his younger years. Earl was active in the NC Jaycees and the Sanford Moose Lodge. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on cars and cooking for events. He and Jeanette loved watching game shows, old TV shows and NASCAR racing.

In addition to his parents and spouses, Earl was preceded in death by his brother’s Bill, Oscar and Donald Holder, his sisters Lynda Mae Clark, Lee Etta Barefoot, Inez Mangum, Beatrice Holder, Betty Brown and Shirley Holder, son Robert W. Thomas, Sr. and a great-granddaughter Valorie Hutchens.

Earl is survived by his; daughter Patricia H. Bridgers and husband Warren, son Gary M. Thomas, Sr. and wife Pam. He leaves behind 7 Grandchildren, Andrea Thomas, Robbie Thomas, Gary M. Thomas, Jr., Cliff Thomas, Luke Thomas and wife Kelli, Mandy Johnson and husband Jeremy, Katy Bridgers and husband Ryan Hughes, 11 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Centerwell Health for providing home care. Special thanks to Kelli Thomas for her devotion, love and companionship in caring for Earl and Jeanette the last few years.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Broadway UMC, P.O. Box 87, Broadway NC 27505 or Lee Count Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 2991 Sanford, NC 27331

The family will receive friends at Broadway United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Thursday, December 18 2025 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. A funeral Service will follow at 2:00 PM with Rev. Kryshna Jamis officiating. Burial will follow at Broadway Town cemetery.

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