Funeral service will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, December 28, 2024 at St Mary's Missionary Baptist Church, Winnabow.  Burial will follow in the Christian Chapel Church Cemetery, Winnabow.  Visitation will be Friday, December 27, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Christian Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.

Coretha Gause Holden, age 98, born to the late Ollin and Annie Lewis Gause, peacefully passed December 19, 2024, in her home surrounded by loved ones. Coretha was born November 8, 1926, in Brooksville, South Carolina. She was the youngest of 10 siblings.  She married the late Alexander Rudolph Holden, and they were blessed to start their family of 17 children in Winnabow, NC. Coretha was a life-long member of Christian Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Winnabow, NC, where she served as an usher, choir member, deaconess, and mother of the church.  She was a loving, humble, and kind-hearted woman.  Her beautiful spirit was felt throughout her years as a nurse, child nutritionist, wife, mother, and community pillar. Coretha was preceded in death by her parents, Ollin and Annie Lewis Gause, husband, Alexander Rudolph Holden, daughter Annie L. Joseph, sons, Johnny and Cardell Holden and 6 sisters and 3 brothers.  She is survived by her children; Quilla M. Holden William, Billy Moore (Lillian), James R. Holden (Lucinda), Calvin Holden, Pastor Bobby L. Holden, Alphonso Holden, Willa Clarida, Carl Holden (Kim), Barbara Mason, Dianne Vereen, James G. Holden, and Luzina Hines (Jon); 34 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, and 24 great-great-grandchildren, two adopted sons, Minister Simon Hicks 111, and Willie Bellamy, adopted godson, Minister William Tony Bell, and spiritual son Brother Thomas Bellamy.  She leaves to cherish her special and loving memories, Mary Simmons, Evangelist Mary L. Palmore, Mary E. Jones, and Eva Bell.  She spent her last hours worshiping and praising the master.  Listening to her favorite song, "I Just Stopped By" by Lee Williams.  Her soul is resting, but her presence is everlasting.