Lynda Patterson Holder, 75, of Poquoson, Virginia, peacefully passed away January 15, 2025, after a long illness.
Born on the family farm in Broadway, North Carolina, on September 8, 1949, Lynda was the spirited youngest child of Dora Thomas Patterson and Ralph Patterson. She graduated from Boone Trail High School in 1967, where she earned all-county basketball honors. Lynda attended business college in Raleigh, and then married the love of her life, Eddie Holder, on December 21, 1969.
The newlyweds embarked on a 6-month honeymoon in North Chicago while Eddie completed his Naval training. During this time as a military spouse, Lynda began her distinguished career in human resources. Her career would span over 45 years as a dedicated civil servant with various organizations including NASA, where she retired. The Navy took them next to Norfolk, Virginia, where the family eventually made Poquoson their home in 1979.
Lynda is preceded in death by her parents, Dora and Ralph Patterson; her in-laws, Doris and Arnold Holder; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, June and Leonard Fleming.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, Eddie Holder; her son and daughter-in-law, Brooks and Dory Holder; and her precious granddaughters, Summer and Ellie Holder, all of Poquoson. She also leaves behind her loving sisters and lifelong best friends Carolyn James and her husband Paul, and Agnes Kelly and her husband Tony, all from Broadway, as well as her treasured nieces, Paula James of Broadway, Carol Kelly of Greenville, North Carolina, and Hilary Fetch and her husband Andrew of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Lynda’s greatest joy was having fun with her family, always planning little surprises for them. She deeply adored her parents and looked forward to reuniting with them. Lynda cherished her role as Grandma, loving every moment spent celebrating and spending time with her granddaughters. Her son was her proudest accomplishment, and Lynda loved laughing with him. Above all, her love story with Eddie was one for the ages marked by unwavering devotion and care, especially during Lynda’s illness.
The family would like to thank the staff at Dominion Village and Heartland Hospice for their compassionate and professional care. A celebration of Lynda’s life will be held Saturday, January 18, from 2-4pm at the Anchor Social Hall located at 475 Wythe Creek Road, Suite J, in Poquoson. Additionally, Lynda will be celebrated at the family farm in Broadway, North Carolina, at a later date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Lynda by sharing time with those you love and giving them the best hugs, just as she always did. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8.