Ellen Earnestine McKinley Holder, 83, of Huntsville peacefully passed on Friday, March 15, 2019 while under the loving attendance of her immediate family.

Born in Excel, Alabama, Mrs. Holder led a loving, caring life focused on others' well-being. As a young lady, she always helped out at home, including watching her siblings. She spoke later in life of her joy as a young lady while working as a telephone operator; connecting strangers and friends to others around the world. While newlyweds, she enjoyed being a hostess at a Florida boarding house restaurant where John was a cook on the weekends.

Ellen was loved and embraced by friends from all walks of life from doctors to NASA engineers to farmers. She was equally comfortable square dancing, shelling purple hull peas, or picking a ripe cantaloupe at the farmers' market. Her skill in the kitchen was only surpassed by how well she raised her children, and grandchildren, to be such outstanding adults, loved by all. Her Sunday dinners flowed with southern dishes from their vegetable garden, accompanied occasionally with fresh boiled peanuts, and at least two desserts prepared from scratch. Up until she passed, she was a daily angel to her friends, getting them to medical and beauty appointments or visiting when they couldn't get out.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Holder. Survivors include her sister, Shirley McGee and husband, James; daughter, Betty Hall and husband, Chandler; son, John Holder Jr. and wife, Tamra, of Covington, Ga.; grandchildren, Whitney Newsom, Noelle Holder, and Katherine Hall; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held 2PM Friday, March 22, 2019 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL. with viewing beginning at 12 p.m. Burial will be at Uriah Cemetery in Uriah, AL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Laughlin Service Funeral Home in Huntsville, AL and Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL. is in charge of arrangements.