Betty Houck Holt, 72, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on August 9th, 2023. She is survived by her loving husband, Terry M Holt, and her two children, Brooklynn Davoli (Mark) and Terry Holt (Pam), as well as her two grandchildren, London and Joey Davoli, known to them as their “Nonnie.”
Betty was born in Memphis, TN, to Wallace and Rosa Lee (Cassini) Houck in July of 1951. She is preceded in death by her brother, Buddy Houck (Barbara), and survived by her two sisters. She graduated from Memphis Tech High School and started working in the car industry. It wasn’t long before she met her husband, married in the fall of 1971, and decided to become a homemaker four years later.
Betty spent most of her life in Florida where she raised both of her children. She was involved in the Orange Park community where she spent time volunteering at the Clay County District School System empowering at-risk youth with the tools they needed to be successful in life. She introduced her son to soccer and volunteered as a coach at the Clay County Soccer Club in Fleming Island, FL.
It wasn’t long before she discovered another opportunity and became a certified Florida Master Gardener sponsored through the University of Florida extension office in Clay County. This program certifies volunteers to provide research-based horticultural education to Florida residents. She was so proud to be part of the UF program and proudly displayed her sign in her yard. Go Gators!
Within the last ten years, Betty and her husband moved just outside of Memphis, TN to a little town called Senatobia, MS to take care of her mother. There she transformed the 20-acre farm into a beautiful masterpiece including an English garden, rose garden, and many other stunning niches within the property. She took over her mother’s business, “The Jam Lady,” making over 50 different products consisting of jellies and pickled vegetables. She was active in her community and church until she recently moved back to Florida due to health reasons.
Betty will always be remembered for her love for her family and friends, an advocate for others, a two-time cancer survivor, and enjoying the simple pleasures in life.
A private family service will be held at Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
