Carolyn Sue Holder Reece

Carolyn Sue Holder Reece, 82, born February 26, 1942 in Cressmont, Kentucky departed this earth on the morning of July 4, 2024. Carolyn, a former employee and recent resident of Lee County Care and Rehabilitation Center in Beattyville, Kentucky, passed away peacefully surrounded by the care and compassion of the nursing staff she very much loved like her own family. Services were held at Searcy & Strong Funeral Home in Booneville, Kentucky on Monday, July 8, 2024 with Brother George Whisman officiating. Burial followed at the Hamilton Ridge Cemetery in Beattyville, Kentucky.

Carolyn was born to Beulah Hamilton Holder and Quinton Holder in Cressmont, Kentucky to a humble beginning. A bright and happy child, with a love of learning, Carolyn quickly found the love of her life early and began an exciting new married life in Chicago, Illinois. Graduating from the American School, her career progression included Repogle Globe, Montgomery Ward and finally working as a purchasing agent for Sears Roebuck and Company in the Sears Tower in downtown Chicago.

Leaving a career she loved, Carolyn soon devoted her heart and passion to her baby daughter Sandra Kaye and her son Jeffrey Donald to be a stay-at-home wife to her husband Donald. Carolyn often said living with her small family in the Chicago suburb of Westmont, Illinois was the happiest years of her life. Adventuresome like they were, the suburban home was sold, the U-Haul loaded and the young family soon moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Living in Arizona only a short time, the beckoning call came from the family to return home to Kentucky.

In Kentucky, Carolyn raised her children and was an employee of the Lee County Nursing Home and later continued her work until retirement from Lion Apparel. Carolyn spent her retirement years with her lifelong love on their small farm in Delvinta whole, also devoting numerous hours of service to the Lee County Church of Christ.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter Sandra K. Dunahoo (Charles Ed), her grandson Major Allen Dunahoo, granddaughter Ashley Edwards and two great-grandchildren Conner and Addison, one brother David Holder (Sondra), three sisters, Mary Dennison, Betty (James) Combs and Sharon (Gary) Ratliff and two sisters-in-laws Laura Holder and Marie Holder. Carolyn adored a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Carolyn Reece was on Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Searcy and Strong Funeral Home. Funeral services were on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 11:00 am with internment following at the Hamilton Cemetery in Beattyville, Kentucky.

Pallbearers: Major A. Dunahoo, Charles E. Dunahoo, Ill, Eric Ratliff, Kendall Sizemore, Denzil Sizemore and Terry Sizemore; Special Reading: Tommy Dowell Dennison; Musical Selections: Darren Steele