DAR honors Holston with ‘highest honor’

Published 11:17 pm Friday, October 28, 2011

The Oliver Wiley Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution hosted a maker dedication for Eulalia Reynolds Holston Friday at Green Hills Cemetery in Troy.

Rebecca Skibba, Chapter Regent, said the marker dedication was the last and highest honor bestowed upon a DAR member.

“We will continue our work inspired by those whose lives are completed,” Skibba said.

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Holston was remembered fondly by members of her family, fellow DAR members and friends.

Kay Holston Smith, spoke on behalf of her mother’s family and thanked the Oliver Wiley Chapter DAR for remembering and recognizing Holston’s service.

“Mother would be honored to see the DAR medallion on her grave marker,” Smith said.

“The DAR allowed mother to combine two of her loves – clubs and genealogy. She was a ‘clubable’ kind of person.”

Holston was a member of many clubs and organizations including the New Century Club, the Pike County Historical and Genealogical Society, the Troy Public Library Board and helped found the library’s Friends of Genealogy organization and, of course, the DAR.

“Mother lived a full and meaningful life and hearing others talk about her brings her back into our lives in a special way,” Smith said. “She lives on through memories and stories.”

Karen Bullard, DAR member and Troy Public Library genealogist, said that Holston was a portrait of patriotism, poise and grace with twinkling eyes and easy laughter.

“Eulalia was a true Southern lady,” she said.

Holston was interested in genealogy and recognized the need for genealogical resources at the Troy Public Library. “Eulalia appreciated the contributions of those who have gone before us,” Bullard said.

“At the time, we had very few genealogical resources. With Eulalia’s help we now have thousands.”

Janelle Williams, a friend and neighbor, characterized Holston as a unique individual who was the “glue that kept the neighborhood close together.”

“Eulalia loved life and lived it to the fullest,” Williams said. “Even when her health began to fail, she never lost her zest for life.”

Skibba said the Olive Wiley Chapter DAR will carry on and continue to hold high the torch of service in memory and honor of her. Holston joined the local DAR Chapter in 1974 under Revolutionary War veteran Isaac Lansdale out of Delaware.