Jeanette Croft Holley

AIKEN, SC - Born April 4th, 1943, as the second daughter of the Reverend Nathaniel Chafee Croft and Jeanette McDaniel Croft; Jeanette Croft Holley died peacefully on August 2nd, 2016 in the company of her loving family. Her passing marks the end of a heroic struggle in this world and a rebirth into a new body in her Heavenly home. Despite all obstacles, Jeanette’s life was marked by abundance; an abundance of friends, of love, of energy, of courage, of stories, of family, and of determination. Never bowed or intimidated by any foe, she derived great joy in building lifelong bonds with other people. Loyal in the extreme, she still relishes and maintains friendships from her earliest childhood as well as from her most recent encounters. Her energy and zest for life were unbounded and even prolonged illness could not overcome it. Those who know her can share stories about her giving direction, assigning tasks, and dictating her desires even from her bed. Though small in stature, no illness and no challenge could topple her. Large in personal dignity, she held herself to unflinching standards, and freely shared her opinions of propriety and decorum with anyone who may not have seen it her way. Sprinkled with more than just a little bit of mischief, she relished both the challenges and opportunities of life. She often could not resist poking a sleeping tiger. Her greatest gift was her boundless love and the completeness of her devotion. She was a fiercely dedicated mother of Philip Robinson Merry, Jr. (Amy), as well as Celeste Holley Henderson (Sam), and Martin McTyeire Holley (Heidi). Her greatest blessings also included her grandchildren Philip Robinson Merry III, Elizabeth Greer Merry, Rebecca Jane Henderson, James Samuel Henderson IV, Ferrell Bankston Henderson, Katie Marie Nelson, and Elissa Nelson. Like her parents before, her joy was never greater than in the presence of her grandchildren. Jeanette was a very proud, lifelong member of the Episcopal Church. Born into the church and Baptized by her priest father, she worshiped at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church in Aiken from 1976 until her passing. A member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, and the Green Boundary Club of Aiken and the sister of Marie Croft Neel of Augusta, GA, she is a past member of the Augusta Junior League, the Aiken Junior Women’s Club, and the Sand River Women’s Club, as well as many other social groups and garden clubs. Her friends and family know that Jeanette is already busy in Heaven, and is free from the confines of this life. She is actively planning the next party, twirling, dancing, and skipping from one adventure to the next. Her spirit is free, her limbs are unbound, her joy is unlimited. We are blessed beyond measure for having known her. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, August 5, 2016 at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church with the Reverend Grant Wiseman officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery, and the family will greet friends after the burial in the Stevenson-McClelland Building. Pallbearers will be Philip R. Merry, III (Grandson), James Samuel Henderson, IV (Grandson), Ferrell Bankston Henderson (Grandson), Rickie K. Thornton, John B. Bradley, G. Edward Ballard, III. Honorary pallbearers will be the dedicated care givers for my mother, Jana W. Barton, Vernessa W. Merriweather, Jean Washington, Barbara Conklin, Betty Leysath. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, 125 Pendleton St., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC Jeanette’s online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jeanette Croft Holley, please visit our flower store.