Mary Elizabeth Messer Holder November 29, 1944—— March 16, 2026

Mary Holder, a beloved member of the Camden community, went home to be with her Savior on March 16, 2026. Mary was born in Greenville, Alabama, to Levi and Thelma Lee Messer. Mary and her husband, Morris, were married in 1962 and settled in Selma, where they welcomed their only child, Mark. In 1976, the family moved to Camden, the town Mary would call home for the rest of her life. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Mary managed the local RadioShack in Camden. It was here that she became a fixture in the lives of Camden’s youth; her warm presence and genuine interest in Mark’s classmates earned her the affectionate title of “Momma Mary” to many of them. Later, she spent nearly 25 years as the manager of Pinewood Apartments. To Mary, the people she served were never just tenants—they were family. That bond was lifelong, evidenced by the many former residents who continued to visit her on her front porch long past her retirement. A dedicated member of the Camden Church of Christ, Mary’s faith was lived out through her relationships. She cherished her church family and was deeply moved by the outpouring of calls, visits, and meals they provided during her final days. Beyond her work, Mary’s greatest joy was the open road. Known as “Miss Mary,” she and her husband, “The Chip Man,” were active members of the GoldWing Road Riders Association. Together, they traveled the entire contiguous United States on their motorcycle, creating a lifetime of memories. Later on, many of their travels included their two granddaughters. When she wasn't traveling, Mary was likely cheering for her favorite football team. A passionate Alabama football fan, if it was a Saturday in the Fall everyone knew who she was watching and hopefully cheering on to victory. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Levi and Thelma, and her siblings, Charles, Curtis, Clyde, Cecil, Margaret, and Carlton. She leaves behind a legacy of love in her husband of almost 64 years, Morris Holder, her son, Mark (Brenda) Holder, granddaughters, Chelsea (Kyle) Owens and Brianna (Jasper) Lemaster, a great-grandson, Abraham Owens, her baby sister, Sarah Gomez, a sister-in-law, Shirley Messer, three nephews, Kyle Messer, Jimmy Messer, and Jim Holder (Trina), three nieces Melissa Messer Jinright, Susan Arnette, Shannon Cannon, and numerous great nieces and nephews. The Holder family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the Hospice team who cared for Mary over the last two years, becoming like family to both Mary and Morris. A memorial service will be held at Camden Church of Christ on Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m.