Meda “Posie” Holt was chosen as one of Vian’s Favorite Daughters for 2023.
Although humble beginning afforded her, Holt always made the most of life. She was one of 12 children born to Frank and Minnie Baker. She remembers moving to Vian at the age of 4 from Atkins, Ark. The family moved to Vian to farm in the Sandtown Bottoms. She has told many stories about picking cotton with her siblings and others for just a few cents a day.
Meda Rose Baker was given her nickname “Posie” due to her siblings always calling her Meda Rosie Posie and “Posie” stuck. To this day, most people know her as “Posie.”
She attended Vian High School, played basketball and was involved in FHA. After graduating, she married Bill T. Holt. They lived in Arkansas, California and Colorado before moving back home
Meda ‘Posie’ Holt and raising their three children in Vian.
Holt attended college but didn’t graduate until later in years, receiving her teaching degree. She was always gifted in English and became an English teacher at Vian Junior High. She taught for 20 years, but had to retire sooner than she had planned due to a breast cancer diagnosis.
Today, she has been cancer free for 21 years. We’ve heard from many former students that Mrs. Holt was their favorite teacher.
Holt was always supportive of her children Marla, Trent and Kyle as they were growing up and involved in church, activities and sports in Vian. She was also one of the best scorekeepers for little league baseball you would ever meet.
Trent and Kyle also remember playing high school baseball and looking up in the stands during away games and she would be the only fan up there.
Holt has been involved with her beloved hometown serving as a deacon’s wife, youth director and church secretary for Vian Free Will Baptist Church. She always makes sure her church is either donating or taking part in community activities.
She has also been an invaluable influence to many of Vian’s youth. One of her former youth church kids told Marla how she remembers Mrs. Holt taking her to buy a new dress for a special event at church and how she will never forget it.
Holt has been a very supportive Nana to all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She rarely misses a game, dance recital, or any event they are involved in. She proudly admits her favorite job is Nana. She will boldly argue that ice cream for breakfast is okay for grandkids.
She also makes the best Tweety and Sylvester waffles, and will serve them anytime of day they are requested from any of her grandchildren.
She truly loves her family. At the age of 82, she is still mending clothes for her family and cooking every Thursday night. She prepares enough food for her entire family of 25 and whoever wants to drop by. Everyone is welcome to fill their plates. Holt has also baked many pies for Jason and his Vian Pharmacy crew.
Holt has been a living testimony for her family and they consider her their favorite daughter of Vian!
