Mrs. Sharry D. Holden of Temperanceville

Sharry Diane Dennis Holden was born on April 19, 1953 to John Dennis and Flossie Watson Dennis in Makemie Park, Virginia. She was reunited in glory with her parents and her daughter, Sharry Lynn Holden, on Friday, April 26, 2024.

The youngest of eight children, as she was affectionately known, Diane had a beautiful smile that lit up the room. Although notoriously private, she was filled with love for everyone she met. She fell in love with Lester Holden and created a wonderful life together. God blessed their marriage with fifty-three years of marriage and six children.

Diane attended the Accomack County Public School system. In 1966, she made history by being one of the first students to participate in a five-year pilot desegregation program at Atlantic High School. Although she experienced challenges as one of the few black students at an all-white high school, she faced each day with a smile and kindness.

In 1988, her life changed when she left her sister Thelma’s church, Pentecostal Church of God, Lincoln Inc. in Newark, Maryland. She accepted Jesus Christ as her savior and began to live the rest of her life saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Spirit. During her time there, she and her family were (and still are) heavily involved in various programs at the church. Diane sang in the Voices of Victory and was known for singing lead on the song Holy Ghost Power. It is through the church that she instilled in her family a sense of ethics, morals and devotion to the Lord.

Diane loved shopping. You could find her at Cato’s, Fashion Cent$, Roses, Ross and lately here at Amazon. She enjoyed watching Walker Texas Ranger, NCIS and Wheel of Fortune. She also loved to cook and for years Sister Diane could be counted on to eat fried chicken for the family lunch at church on Sundays.

Diane was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. For the next fifteen years she fought this disease bravely, with beauty and strength. Even as she underwent various treatments, she made sure that her husband, her children and her grandchildren were taken care of. They were her world, and they were theirs.

Diane is survived by her husband, Deacon Lester James Holden, Sr. behind; five sons, Lester James Jr. (Meme) of Boylston, MA, Nicholas Travis of Arlington, VA, Colin Jaleel, Alex Trey and Deon Dennis, all of Temperanceville, VA; five grandchildren, Shawntaye, Xavier, Rondell (Paris), JaKweil and Cordell; sisters, Thelma and Alma; brother, Gralyn; six great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins ​​and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. from Pocomoke Middle School, Pocomoke, MD, with Elder Willie Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Groton Community Cemetery, Temperanceville.

Family and friends may call the funeral home Friday from 4 to 5.

Arrangements by Cooper & Humbles Funeral Co., Accomac.

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