Allen DeVan "Baby" Holder

Allen DeVan ""Baby"" Holder, Sr. age 86, of Long Beach, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2013, at his home surrounded with love by his family.
Baby was born in Georgiana, AL to Wilbur Fleming and Leila Gray DeVan Holder. He served in the Merchant Marines during WWII. After his service, he returned to the Coast and started his family and began his career. He worked at the family's drugstore in downtown Long Beach, was an iron worker and helped build many of the buildings at Keesler, and returned to his family's finance business, where he finished his career. He was a die-hard Alabama Crimson Tide fan and enjoyed the outdoors, especially coon hunting with dogs, riding horses, and caring for his chickens. He lived a full and joyful life with family and friends and loved his town of Long Beach.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren, Courtney Holder and Nathan Holder, Jr.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Betty Lou Hancock Holder of Long Beach; children, Alice Gray Mandal (Bobby) of Biloxi, Jason DeVan Holder of Long Beach, Allen DeVan Holder, Jr. of Long Beach, Robert Grady Holder, Sr. of Long Beach, and Nathan B. Holder (Gwen) of Mobile, AL; brother, Forrest E. Holder, Sr. of Biloxi; 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach, on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. until 12 o'clock Noon.
Funeral services will be held in the chapel at 12 o'clock Noon.
Burial will follow at Long Beach City Cemetery.
The family would like to express their love and gratitude for the love and care given to them by the staff at Gentiva Hospice, especially Paul Cook and Lisa Bissett.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gentiva Hospice Foundation, 762 Tommy Munro Drive, Suite E, Biloxi, MS 39532.
Tributes may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com.