Kay Pierce Holden

Kay Pierce Holden, 83, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2024 at Stanley Total Living Center, with her loving family by her side. 

She was born in Mecklenburg County on October 27, 1940 to the late John Edward Pierce and Catherine Blake Pierce. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 27 years, Richard J. Holden. 

Kay retired after 30 years as an elementary school teacher for Gaston County. She was loved by her students. Kay and her late husband Richard brought joy to many as Santa and Mrs. Claus for many years. They were also very active in their church; Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter and they spent time with the senior center in Gastonia painting ceramics. Kay had a great love for shoes and dogs that she passed on to her family who will miss her immensely.  She loved her family most of all and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the highlight of her life. She always loved to see videos and pictures of them and adored her visits with them. Kay leaves many happy memories to be cherished by all who knew and loved her. 

She is survived by her children, Jenni Lee (Jeff) and Bill Robinson (fiancée, Tabatha); grandchildren, Jana Conover, Pierce Lee, John Lee, Garrett Robinson, and Austin Robinson; and her great-grandchildren, John and Sam Conover, Rylie, Rory, and Rex Harvley, Sirius Lee, and Maeve Robinson. 

The family wants to extend a special thank you to the Assistant Activity Director, Melanie Cherry who our mother truly loved and was a part of our family for the last four years

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter, 216 N. Main St. Belmont, NC 28012. The family will receive friends afterwards at 2:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Animal League of Gaston County, 425 W. Franklin Blvd. Gastonia, NC 28052. Also donations may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter choir fund, 216 N. Main St. Belmont, NC 28012.

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144 is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com