Earline Holden

(From Parker Mortuary)

Earline Sue Holden, age 88, of Joplin, MO, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at The Arbors at Silver Creek Alzheimer's Assisted Living.

Earline was born May 2, 1936, in Picher, OK, to the late union of David Dude Rowe and Edna (Hulsey) Rowe. Earline attended and graduated from Picher High School in 1954. 

After graduating, she worked as a car-hop for C.N.S. Drive-In in Baxter Springs, KS. She then went on to work in the collections department in banking. She also worked at Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator for a number of years. 

She married Claude Holden on March 1, 1958, in Miami, OK. Together they were blessed with 3 children, Kathy, Becky, and Mark. Claude and Earline enjoyed porch sitting together, riding around Grand Lake in their golf cart, playing card games with the kids, and conversing around a good home cooked meal. Together they shared 61 years of memories before Claude’s passing on November 8, 2019. 

In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, shopping with her kids, playing games on her computer, crosswords, selling Avon down by the lake, buying wind chimes, and cooking. You had to keep a close eye on Earline while playing rummy, because she had a tendency to cheat a little. She loved being around her family most of all. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Bob Rowe; and one granddaughter, Emily.

Earline is survived by her three children, Kathy Shoaff and her husband, Eric, of Carl Junction, Becky Stafford, of Carl Junction, and Mark Holden and his wife, Sheila, of Edmond, OK; five grandchildren, Brandi, David Lee, Claudia, Joshua, and Hannah; six great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Peggy Starling, of Joplin, Linda Stewart, of Webb City, and Sharon Hale, of Duenweg.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Keenan Cortez officiating. Interment to follow at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami, OK. Her family at the Arbors at Silver Creek will be serving as pallbearers.




Funeral arrangements are under the special care and direction of Parker Mortuary.