Nella
Nella Sharpe Holden
d. December 12, 2011
Nella was born in Loray, N.C, on Sept. 24, 1909, to the late Clarence Parks Sharpe and Sallie Wood Sharpe. Losing her mother at a young age, Nella was raised by her father and her Aunt Ora. Nella attended Queens College in Charlotte where she graduated with a major in English, a minor in religious education, in addition to a music degree with a double major in piano and pipe organ.
Upon graduation, Nella was the assistant to the director of music at Queens College for over two years. She was a full time organist at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte before moving to Henderson in 1936. Holden taught piano at Vance High School, E.M. Rollins, Kerr-Vance Academy,Warrenton and at home. She served as organist of First United Methodist Church in Henderson for 40 years before her retirement in the late 1970s. During that time, Nella composed many anthems and hymns, several of which won highly acclaimed competitions. She took first place honors in the 1949 Psalm June Competition at Monmouth College. Upon her retirement from the church, Nella found a new passion in art. She painted in oils, acrylics, water colors and pastels, winning several awards. She continued this passion for art well into her 97th year.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Holden was predeceased by her sister, Doris Joan Sharpe; brother, Clarence Clayton Sharpe; husband, George Wall Holden; and son, George Wall Holden Jr. She is survived by her devoted grandchildren, George Wall Holden III and his wife, Beth, Jenny Holden Gomatos, Tom Holden and his wife, Cecilia, and daughter-in-law Mary Ann Holden Everett and her husband, Spencer Everett; niece, Sallie Sharpe Fellowes and her husband, Rear Admiral USN (Retired) F.G. Fellowes; nephew, Bill Sharpe; great-grandchildren George Gomatos, Jimmy Gomatos, Chandler Holden, Blake Holden, Caroline Holden, Tyler Holden, Ceci Holden and Powell Holden; and several great-nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Henderson at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15.
The family wishes to thank her many friends at Springmoor and most especially the loving and caring staff of Springmoor who cared for Nella during the last years of her life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC 27615.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nella Sharpe Holden, please visit our flower store.
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