Mary Leanna Holt

Surrounded in love by her family, Mary Leanna (Johnston) Holt passed away to heaven on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 in Perry, OK. Leanna was a much adored mother, family member, friend, church member, and Perry business woman. Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Perry.
Funeral services have been scheduled for 10:30AM Saturday, September 30, 2017 at the First Christian Church in Perry with Rev. Joshua Bell officiating. Interment will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry. Friends are welcome to sign the guestbook at the funeral home from noon to 5PM Friday, September 29, 2017.
Leanna was born in Grainola, Oklahoma on January 14, 1929 where she was raised on a farm with her nine siblings. After graduating high school, Leanna moved to Perry where she worked for A.L. Smith Trucking and lived with her sister, the late Mavis Hansing. At a party in Perry, Leanna met the love of her life, James Edward Holt, who had just returned from serving in WWII. They were married in Perry on November 9, 1947, completed their family with daughter Linda and son Richard, and here they lived happily ever after.
Besides caring for the family that she loved dearly, serving the Lord through action and deed was Leanna’s greatest passion. She was extremely active in her beloved First Christian Church. Leanna served as an elder, was church treasurer for 10 years, served on the board of directors, was a Sunday school teacher, and was president of the Women’s Guild. Through the church, Leanna touched many lives and will be remembered for her sincere faith in God, extreme dedication, and profound kindness.
Leanna was one of the first woman business owners in Perry. She formed the highly respected and successful Holt Insurance Agency in 1962 for which she served as president until she retired in 2016.
She was very active in the Perry community. She served on the board of directors of the Perry Chamber of Commerce and was director of the Perry Economic Development Authority. She was active in the Perry United Fund, the YMCA, and was a willing volunteer to the many civic and charitable organizations in town. Leanna was extremely honored to be chosen as the honorary parade marshal for the 2012 Cherokee Strip Celebration.
Survivors include one daughter, Linda Dolezal and husband Mark of Tulsa, OK; one son, Richard Holt and wife Pam of Owasso, OK; one sister, Dolly Minor and husband Ray of Claremore, OK; one brother, Cecil Johnston and wife Nell of Oolagah, OK; five grandchildren, Amber Koch and husband Steve of Norman, OK, Talia Hays and husband Shawn Downey of Norman, Ok, Amanda Flowers and husband Stan Wanner of Moore, OK, Jacque Chesmore of Lexington, OK, and Jayson Chesmore of Poncahontas, MO; nine great-grandchildren, Freya Downey, Fennell Koch, Mira Hays, Indigo Koch, Hunter Flowers, Hannah Flowers, Hadley Flowers, Sicily Blaylock, and Colt Blaylock.
She was preceded in death by her husband James in 1999; parents; five brothers, Leo Johnston, Kenneth Johnston, Thomas Johnston, Ross Johnston, and Joe Johnston; two sisters, Mavis Hansing, and Dortha Robinson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church in c/o Palmer Marler Funeral Home, 203 Fir, Perry, OK, 73077.
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.pmcfhperry.com