Nona Laura Holder Brown's Obituary
Nona Laura Holder Brown at 88 years of age left her earthly body and passed through the veil at 12:05 AM January 3, 2026. She passed peacefully at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, FL. Her passing was a result of a hemorrhagic stroke. She put up a good fight but elected palliative care in the end. She was born at home on September 27, 1937. Nona was the 3rd child of 11 children born to Dennis and Vera Holder. Being the oldest girl, she had many responsibilities helping with her younger siblings. She developed a strong work ethic living on the farm. She worked in the fields and in the home. She strung tobacco, churned butter, and washed and ironed mountains of laundry including diapers for all the little ones. She learned to be an excellent cook by cooking for the big family. She even delivered one of her younger brothers.
She loved to sew. She told stories of going to the store and finding enough matching flour sacks to make clothes. She also loved to crochet, read, and travel. She was always up for an adventure.
In 1955 she married the love of her life and her high school sweetheart Gene. They started their marriage with Gene in the Air Force. While stationed in Illinois her daughter Debbie was born. Just 14 months later her son Cliff was born while they were stationed in South Carolina. After leaving the service, they came back to Newberry.
They relocated to Brandon, FL in 1967 for Gene to pursue his career in irrigation. In 1980 they made the decision to return to Newberry and started an irrigation company. It grew into an extremely successful business. She was bookkeeper for their business until she retired.
One of her primary tasks in retirement was to spoil her grandchildren, she made it well known how proud of them she was and how much she loved them, especially the great grandkids. She LOVED her family. Nothing made her happier than having everyone at her home. Grandma’s pantry was loaded with every treat imaginable. Many little pockets left stuffed with treats. She also loved Christmas, so much so that they started shopping months in advance to find the perfect gift for each family member.
Nona loved a good piece of news and being the person to tell the story. Her family loved hearing her stories because she was well known for the embellishments she added to her tale.
Nona is leaving her loving husband of 70 years Gene Brown, daughter Debbie Romrell (Lynn) and son Cliff Brown (Shari).
Nona had 5 grandchildren Britt Harrell, Brad Harrell, Cathy Zaldivar (Cal), Jamie Parrish (Terry) and Cyndi Hunt (Clayton). She had 9 great grandchildren Blake Harrell, Cody Harrell, Rylie Parrish, Parker Parrish, Xavier Zaldivar, Hudson Parrish, Xander Zaldivar, Clayton Hunt Jr. and Lily Hunt.
Nona is also survived by 2 sisters Elaine McEntee (Tom)and Marian Wherrell (Dennis) and 3 brothers Danny Holder (Suzy), Kenny Holder and Harold Holder (Kay).
She is preceded in death by her father Dennis C. Holder Sr., her mother Vera (nee) Bellflower, her brothers Dennis C. Holder Jr., James Holder (Martha), Joey Holder (Kathryn), Bobby Holder(Kathy) and sister Janet Smith (Gerald).
This colorful, sassy, loving, vibrant matriarch of our family will leave a very large hole in our hearts. She will be remembered always.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. at Union Baptist Church Cemetery 6259 S.E. 75th Ave, Newberry, Florida. Family will receive friends Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea 823 N.W. 143rd Street Newberry, Florida.
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