WILMINGTON — Sarah “Sally” Edgerton Holt, 86, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior Saturday, April 10, 2021, with her two daughters at her bedside. Sally was born Dec. 9, 1934, in Goldsboro to the late Lamont and Ruth Boyce Edgerton.
She was the middle of three girls. The three sisters spent their summers at Camp Yonahlossee in Blowing Rock, where they enjoyed riding horses, swimming in the lake, hiking and the fellowship of other campers. In the last few months, her memories of that time brought her much joy and comfort.
Sally attended University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. While in college, she met her husband, Charles B. C. Holt. They later moved to his hometown of Fayetteville and started a family.
Sally’s life was one of service to others. She served as a “Pink Lady” volunteer at Cape Fear Valley Hospital, helped organize and volunteer with Fayetteville Beautiful in the 1970s as well as serving at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in many capacities. She was also a devoted wife and mother. She supported her husband’s political aspirations as he moved through city council, mayor and later House of Representatives. As her children grew older, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning an upscale clothing store. She and a friend purchased the Town Shop and enjoyed many years of bringing New York fashion to Fayetteville. She loved to model the new fashions and latest trends. She was an avid golfer and the first in the family to make a “hole in one.”
After Sally’s divorce, she moved to Wilmington and met her sweetheart, William “Bill” Head,” who would be her companion for 10 years. Together, they traveled, gardened and enjoyed their grandchildren. They attended Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, where they served on the garden committee.
Sally’s grandchildren were the joy of her life. Her first, Charles Louis Cox, was a fast friend and sidekick. They enjoyed laughter, as they both had the same kind of humor. Charles and Nana loved reading, swimming in her pool and taking trips to the aquarium. Her second, Alice Edgerton Cox, came into the world full of love, joy, hugs and kisses. Alice would sit at Nana’s dressing table and enjoy all the beautiful necklaces, rings, scarves and makeup. She traveled to Bulgaria to meet her third grandchild, Nansi Heath Holt. The two bonded immediately and Nansi dubbed her “Nana Babba.” Nansi and Nana enjoyed trips to the botanical gardens, and always finished off with an ice cream treat!
Sally is survived by her sister, Sandra Edgerton Kerr; daughters, Sarah Holt Cox (Louis), Hannah Lilly Holt (Stephanie); and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Charles Calvert Holt; parents, Lamont and Ruth Boyce Edgerton; sister, Ruth Edgerton Boyer; and brothers-in-law, William H. Boyer and John H. Kerr.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, April 16, at the Mount Lebanon Chapel in Airlie Gardens, 814 Airlie Road, Wilmington, with Pastor Bill Milholland officiating. There will be a reception following the service. A private inurnment will be held in Cross Creek Cemetery, Fayetteville. She will be placed beside her firstborn, Charles Calvert Holt.
The family would like to honor and thank the dedicated staff at The Davis Community who so lovingly cared for Sally in the last few months of her life. We would also like to acknowledge and thank the staff at the Kempton at Brightmore for their 11 years of care, love and support. These two communities of caregivers touched her in their own special way and brought her comfort in some of her most challenging times.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the Charles Calvert Holt Scholarship at Cumberland Community Foundation, P.O. Box 2345, Fayetteville, NC 28302.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
