August 31, 2021, 90, Princeton –

Lesly Gay Holt, 90, of Princeton, passed away on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh surrounded by his family. Lesly was born in Johnston County on April 25, 1931 to the late Erby Stephenson Holt and Gulie Worley Holt.

In addition to his parents, Lesly is preceded in death by his two brothers, Herman Holt and Erby Holt, Jr.; sisters, Margaret Wilkins and Mary Joyce Hill; and son in-law, Herb Anderson.

Lesly is survived by his loving wife, Rosa Lee Martin Holt of 71 years; son, Ronnie Holt and wife Shirley of Princeton; daughters, Pam Starling and husband Bill of Kenly, Gulie Bullard and husband Randy of Fayetteville, Beverly Anderson of Goldsboro; six grandchildren, Stephen Holt and wife Barbara Ann, Tara Darden and husband Jason, Jonathan Jones and wife Kasey, Katie Taylor and husband Donnie, Clifton Griffin and wife Jeana, Amber Wilkins and husband Jeff; thirteen great grandchildren, Addison, Olivia, Amelia Grace, Emerie, Jackson, Cammie, Wyatt, Gideon, Gauge, Garrison, MillieGrace, Silas, Eleanor Ruth; two sisters, Bessie Starling of Princeton who was his twin, and Edna Grace Massengill also of Princeton, and several other family and friends who he loved dearly.

Lesly was a family man. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. After farming for nearly 18 years and being called into ministry, Lesly and Rosa Lee moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he and his wife both graduated from Baptist Bible College and went on to serve small community churches in Missouri, West Virginia, Ohio, Alabama, and North Carolina before coming back home to Princeton. Upon his retirement at the age of 80, he still continued to devote himself to preach and conduct funerals when called upon by his Pastor at Central Baptist Church in Goldsboro. In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening and walking around the small town of Princeton, but most importantly spending time with his family. He will be surely missed but precious memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He devoted his life to reading and studying God’s Word, praying and witnessing by handing out gospel tracts to all those that crossed his path.

Pastor Holt dedicated his life to the Lord and bringing others to Jesus.   

A funeral service will be held at 6:00 pm, Friday, September 3, 2021 at Casey Funeral Home and Cremations Chapel with Reverend Dennis Pollock officiating. A visitation will be held two hours prior to the service from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Casey Funeral Home and Cremations in Princeton. A private burial will be held at the Princeton Cemetery on Saturday.

A memorial walk to honor Pastor Holt’s life will be held at 6:00AM, Friday, September 3, 2021 starting outside of Milltown Java’s coffee shop in Princeton. All are welcome to attend.

Although flowers are welcome, memorial contributions can be made to the Princeton Cemetery Fund. The cemetery was near and dear to Mr. Holt’s heart. Checks can be made out to Princeton Cemetery, PO Box 67, Princeton, N.C. 27569 attention Marla Ashworth.

Casey Funeral Home and Cremations is honored to serve the Holt family.