Mrs. Mary Louise Holtzclaw

August 27, 1928 - November 3, 2019

Mary Louise Harbin Holtzclaw Mary Louise Harbin Holtzclaw, age 91 of the Avery Community, passed away Sunday, November 3, 2019. Born in Canton on August 28, 1928, Louise lived her entire life in Cherokee County. Known in her early years as a star basketball player on the Avery School 1943 championship team, Louise went on to become a wife, mother and grandmother while also volunteering for 17 years as a charter member of the R.T. Jones Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and as a Sunday School teacher for over 30 years where she shared with others her love of God and family. Cooking, sewing, quilting and traveling were favorite pastimes. Survived by her childhood sweetheart and husband of 74 years, W.J. (Junior) Holtzclaw, she was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Nina Harbin and stepmother Mae Harbin, along with her son Olin Holtzclaw, and brothers Bob, Ed, and Frank Harbin. Additional survivors include her daughter Carol (Donald) Carnes, daughter-in-law Kathryn Holtzclaw, grandchildren Brian (Pam) Carnes, Lynn (Jason) Brock, Lance (Tonya) Carnes, Shelley (Joey) Stewart, Whitney Carnes and great-grandchildren Blake Sheldon, Sarah (Brody) Klett, Lauren Brock, Rebekah Carnes, Levi, Walter and Jessip Stewart, Will and Owen Carnes. Blessed with a large family, Louise is also survived by her sister Ruth Ellison, sisters-in-law Evelyn Harbin and Lanette Harbin, and brothers and sisters-in-law law Bobby and Sudy Holtzclaw, Sue and Franklin Moore, Kenneth and Mary Ruth Holtzclaw and Doris Butterworth as well as many nieces and nephews. Indebted to caregivers Kathy, Linda and Tammy, the family also appreciates the caring staff of Affinity Hospice. The family will receive friends at Darby Funeral Home on Monday, November 4th from 11 AM-8 PM and on Tuesday, November 5th from Noon-1:30 PM with the service to follow at 2 PM in the Darby Funeral Home Chapel. Pallbearers will be Brian and Lance Carnes, Jason Brock, Joey Stewart, Owen Carnes and Blake Sheldon. Honorary Pallbearers are Lauren Brock, Rebekah Carnes, Will Carnes and Levi Stewart, Walter and Jessip Stewart. Burial will follow in Macedonia Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Louise’s memory be made to Cherokee County Special Olympics, 400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, GA 30188.