Margaret Holiwell

On Thursday, June 13, 1929, Margaret Holiwell was born in Bakersfield, CA. She was the sixth of seven children born to Limmie Walker Sr. and Earlee Carson Walker. She attended local schools and graduated from Kern County Union High School in 1948 (Bakersfield High School). Margaret was in the same graduating class as NFL Hall of Fame Frank Gifford and he was her partner as they walked down the graduating aisle together. Margaret met the love of her life, Gean F Holiwell, and they were married in March 1949. They were married for 33 years until Gean passed away in 1982. Margaret attended beauty school and earned her Cosmetology license and then worked in a local beauty salon. Margaret also worked at Kern General Hospital (now Kern Medical) as a nursing assistant. She also had other part-time jobs over the years including providing daycare for families in the church and her neighborhood but what she loved most was caring for her children, grandchildren and being a homemaker. Margaret joined the Southside SDA Church under the leadership of Elder W. E. Penick in the early 1950’s. She faithfully served Southside in many capacities such as a Deaconess, Dorcas Leader, MV Leader, Sabbath School Secretary, and choir member. She was also a charter member of Rachel’s Daughters, a mother’s prayer group started by several mothers in the church. Margaret was a firm believer in Christian education. Her children attended Bakersfield Adventist Academy and/or Monterey Bay Academy from first grade through high school. When her youngest son, Derrick, graduated from Bakersfield Adventist Academy in 1988, the school administration presented a plaque to Margaret during the graduation ceremony recognizing her many years of financial sacrifice and dedication to Christian education for 33 consecutive years. Margaret was a wonderful seamstress and made many of her daughter’s dresses when they were younger and even made a couple of Leisure suits, which was at the top of men’s fashion at that time, for her husband. She also loved to play softball in her younger years. Margaret and her sister, Linnie, were like two peas in a pod! They could always be found together and they took many trips together such as New York, Soquel camp meeting, Leoni Meadows retreat, and many other places. As Linnie began to gracefully age, she moved in with Margaret and her family for about 3 years before Linnie went to live with her daughter, Darlene, in southern California.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Limmie and Earlee Walker, her brothers, Elmer Walker, Limmie Walker Jr, Earl Walker, Christopher Walker and Timothy Walker, her sister Linnie Kelly, her husband, Gean F Holiwell, and her son, Larry Holiwell.

Margaret leaves to cherish her loving memory her half-siblings, Linn Etta Turner, Herbert Walker (Lucille), Wimith Fort (Gerald); her children, Edwin Holiwell (Traci), Pamela Holiwell, Glenda Stevenson and Derrick Holiwell; her daughter-in-love, Marti Holiwell; her grandchildren, Joyce Hayden (McCoy), Jeffery Holiwell, Aaron Jackson, Nicholas Stevenson, Brooklynn Stevenson, Makayla Holiwell and Kamren Holiwell; her great-grandchildren, Alexander McCole, Baylor Holiwell, Jyana Hayden, Isaiah Sanchez-Jackson, Gabriella Holiwell, Elijah Jackson and Marley Stevenson and many loved nieces, nephews and other close family members and friends. Margaret also leaves behind her 4-legged constant companion, Lady Bella Rose. Bella could be found under Margaret’s bed, recliner or wherever her favorite humas was. It’s obvious Bella misses her as she waits by the front door for her to return home, with her head on the floor between her paws. We will see you on that great day Momma!