Nell Anderson Holley

Nell Rebecca Anderson Holley, 91, unexpectedly left this world to meet Jesus face-to-face Wednesday evening, December 31, 2025, joining many loved ones in that Heavenly throng.

Nell was the beloved wife of the late Clarence William Holley for 60.5 years. Both were born in Jefferson County and grew up just a few miles apart. After dating for almost five years, they were married in Mt. Horeb Baptist Church on June 15, 1957. They moved into their newly built home in Wrens and lived there together until his death on December 19, 2017. They became the proud parents of two daughters, Susan and Nancy, and a son, Wayne William Holley, born on September 24, 1964 and died September 25, 1964.

Nell and Clarence continued to serve as members of Mt. Horeb Baptist Church in many elected and voluntary positions for the remainder of their lives.

Nell attended school in Wrens and graduated with honors in May 1952 in the first 12-year graduation class of Wrens High School. After her 18th birthday, she became employed on July 28, 1952 as a Civic Service Supply Clerk in Fort Gordon for 28 years where she received special recognition for honors and achievements. After retiring, she returned to the same position under contractors Pan Am and Johnson Controls for 10 years, 3 months until both she and Clarence decided to retire together in November 1980. After “retirement”, they enjoyed many years of service volunteering at church and for 20 years as volunteers at McDuffie Hospital.

Nell’s faith and love of Christ made her a servant to all. She loved her family and will be remembered for her loving, kind spirit.

Nell is survived by her daughters, Susan Holley Newsome (Steven) and Nancy Holley Chance (David); brother, Samuel G. Anderson of Smyrna; sister Inez A. Griswold of Augusta; grandsons, Kyle Eisele (Leigh) and Austin Newsome (Jess); great grandchildren, Clayton Ford, Ethan Andrews, Jason Andrews, and Catherine Newsome; sisters-in-law, Mahala C. Anderson and Jean Anderson White; and nieces and nephews.

Also preceding her in death was her parents, Jennie Pearl Babb Anderson and William Gartrell Anderson Sr.; siblings and spouses, Cahlia A. and Dan Huff, Doreatha A. and Albert Smith, Margaret A. and Warren Kitchens Sr., Lee Roy, Edna Anderson, Lester L. and Dorris Anderson, Eulie C. and Edna Anderson, W. G. “Bill” Jr. and Mary Anderson, Herbert H. Anderson, Robert J. “Bob” Anderson, three infant brothers, sisters-in-law Virginia Evans Anderson and Barbara F. Anderson; brother-in-law, Clyde Griswold; and several nieces and nephews.

From her Holley family, she is survived by Bonnie Holley, Ruby P. Holley, Tony Holley (Gail Hammett), Jimmy Norton (Melanie), Shirley H. and Temus Reese, Judson Gay, and W.J. Perdue; and nieces and nephews. Predeceased by Sara H. Gay, Jeanette H. Perdue, Sandra H. Norton, David and Vera Holley, Annie H. and Sammy Anderson, Gloria H. and Willis Jones Sr., Robert Holley, Lamar Holley, parents-in-law, Jasper L. Holley, Mary Holley Terry and Ernest Terry; nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 4:00 – 6:00PM Sunday afternoon, January 4, 2026. Funeral services will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00PM Monday afternoon, January 5, 2026 with Rev. Shane Busby, Terry Holley and Rev. Paul Moore officiating. Interment will follow in the Wrens Memorial Cemetery.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Mt Horeb Baptist Church, earmarked Cemetery Fund, PO Box 565, Wrens GA 30833.

To us left behind, Nell left this temporary world quickly and unexpectedly; however, we have comfort in knowing that it was her perfect time to meet her Lord and Savior and to enter the gates of her eternal home.