Judson Grear Holt

1905 - 1997  (91 years)

• Name	Judson Grear Holt  [1]
  Born	05 Sep 1905	Caswell County, North Carolina   [2]
  Gender	Male
  Died	22 May 1997	South Boston, Halifax, Virginia U.S.A.   [2]
  Buried	Prospect United Methodist Church (Caswell County, North Carolina)   [3]
  Notes	Judson Grear Holt (1905-1997) (click on group photograph for larger image) _______________ Judson Holt Receives Award: Take Pride in America Governor Jim Martin named Judson Holt of Yanceyville among the 31 winners statewide to receive the Take Pride in America award. Holt, a timber cruiser by profession, is a self-taught naturalist, botanist and trailblazer. Holt was selected by the Governor's blue ribbon committee from 122 nominations in 10 categories, including civic, business, youth, media, education, individual, public-private, local, and state and federal government. Holt is credited with planning, developing and marking the nature trail loop at the Cherokee Boy Scout Camp in Caswell County. Holt also developed a trail guide for the mile-long circular trail which marks and describes the various plants and wildlife habitats found along the way. The Judson Holt Trail is a recreational and education asset to Caswell County and has been used by thousands of visitors from around the state. Holt has also provided seedlings for wildlife habitat development throughout Caswell County. Holt will be recognized with a plaque during a Take Pride in America awards ceremony planned for April in Raleigh. The state's award winners will be submitted for consideration for national awards. _______________ History of the Poteat One-Room School (Caswell County, North Carolina. Birth Record Name: Judson Greer Holt Date of Birth: 5 Sep 1905 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Caswell Parent1 Name: Calvin Lee Holt Parent2 Name: Lucy Jane Dodson Roll Number: B_C020_68001 Volume: 7 Page: 44 Source: Ancestry.com. North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005 1910 US Census Name: Jutson G Holt Age in 1910: 5 Estimated birth year: abt 1905 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1910: Milton, Caswell, North Carolina Race: White Gender: Male Marital Status: Single Relation to Head of House: Son Mother's Birth Place: Virginia Father's Birth Place: North Carolina 1920 US Census Name: Judson G Holt Age: 14 years Estimated birth year: abt 1906 Birthplace: North Carolina Race: White Home in 1920: Dan River, Caswell, North Carolina Sex: Male Marital status: Single Relation to Head of House: Son Able to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes Mother's Birth Place: North Carolina Father's Birth Place: North Carolina Image: 1021 1930 US Census Name: Judson Holt Age: 24 Estimated birth year: abt 1906 Birthplace: North Carolina Relation to head-of-house: Head Spouse's Name: Bertha E Holt Race: White Home in 1930: Dan River, Caswell, North Carolina The following is from The Caswell Messenger, which retains all rights: Jimmy Kelley & Judson Holt From the Editor (Gordon Bendall) Caswell County lost a good man this month and another beloved citizen has been hospitalized with a case of double pneumonia. The life's work of Jimmy Kelley and Judson Holt will never be forgotten. We have much to gain from their gifts to Caswell County. Passing men and women teach us about life, but in many cases, they go too soon for us to say thanks. The lessons they have shared live on, but memories of their work sometimes make us regret. We wake up and they are gone. It's always too late. After working all their lives to make life better for their family, friends and community, it's unfortunate the last wishes of the dying are not expressed fully so we might pick up where they left off. We could say, "This is what they wanted. Let's work to make it happen." But most go quietly and leave us wondering who is going to carry on their work. It hurts more in a small community like ours because everyone seems to know everyone else. Judson Holt, 91, is pure Caswell County -- a fighter and a gentleman. Holt has been admitted to the hospital in Halifax County near South Boston, Virginia for treatment of double pneumonia. Holt said, "My downfall was plowing my garden." A few weeks ago, the weather was cold and wet. "It was a chilling cold, all day long," he said from his hospital bed. "It was my fault altogether. I knew better." But don't count Holt out. If anyone is going to beat a case of double pneumonia at the age of 91, it's Judson Holt. As a timber cruiser all his life, Holt remained strong into his eighties, walking large tracts of timber, all day long, leaving most men behind. He amazed everyone with his strength and knowledge. Holt is a naturalist. The names of all the plants and animals in Caswell County he knows by heart. He shares his knowledge with others and a trail is named for him by the Boy Scouts at Camp Cherokee. He cultivates wild ginseng and is able to locate the roots in the wild. Perhaps his long and happy life has something to do with that mysterious root. He also smokes tobacco all the time. "I stopped smoking about a month ago," he said this week. "The doctors told me to quit until I get better," he said with a chuckle. Holt said about five different doctors were working on him, coming in every 30 minutes giving him one thing or another. His wife, Bertha, is also in serious condition in the same hospital. "I don't know if I'm going to make it," Judson said on the telephone Monday night, almost as if he was angry he couldn't plant the row of beans he had planned for his early garden. His appreciation of Mother Nature's wonders is an inspiration to everyone. "Tell the folks, Howdy," he said, "Wish them well for me." _______________ Death Record Name: Judson G. Holt SSN: 246-54-7218 Last Residence: 24592 South Boston, Halifax, Virginia, United States of America Born: 5 Sep 1905 Died: 22 May 1997 State (Year) SSN issued: North Carolina (1954 ) Source: Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2006 Links to Photographs Judson Grear Holt Photograph Judson Grear Holt at Poteat School
  Person ID	I29462	Devin Timber
  Last Modified	17 Jan 2012

  
  

  Father	Calvin Lea Holt,   b. 28 Feb 1867, Milton Township, Caswell County, North Carolina ,   bur. Holt Family Cemetery (Highway 62 Between Milton and Yanceyville)
  Relationship	Natural
  Mother	Lucy Jane Dodson,   b. Abt 1873, Virginia ,   d. Bef 1910, Caswell County, North Carolina  (Age < 37 years)
  Relationship	Step
  Married	12 Dec 1889  [2]
  Family ID	F11705	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Bertha Elizabeth Butts,   b. 31 Jul 1911, North Carolina ,   d. 02 May 1997, South Boston, Halifax, Virginia U.S.A.  (Age 85 years)
  Married	21 May 1927  [2]
  Children	1. Hubert Holt,   bur. Holt Family Cemetery (Highway 62 Between Milton and Yanceyville)  [Natural]
  Family ID	F11704	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Sources

  Details: Obituary of Henry Gregory Holt (1895-1984), News & Advance (Lynchburg, Virginia) March 1984. Details: Research of Mrs. Jayne Davis Szaz in the CCHA Files. Details: Gravestone at Prospect United Methodist Church (Caswell County, North Carolina).