At the age of 92 (and a half), Joan ‘Mur’ Deaton Walker Holder, departed for heaven on the evening of May 14, 2024.The world became a brighter place on November 12, 1931, when she was born to Leo Sr. and Lessie Mae Deaton as their fourth child of eight. Running across the field to their grandparents’ house, working in the fields racing to see who could fill their bags the quickest or playing hopscotch in a dirt drawn board in front of their home on Cotton Grove Rd. were counted among some of the fondest memories Joan shared with her siblings early in life. These were later followed by many family gatherings with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren or trips to visit each other. At the core of the family was always faith and love… and food, good food.
As a young teen, Joan spotted a handsome young man at church, and she stated she was going to marry that boy. In 1952, she did in fact marry that boy, Robert Walker Jr. They began their own family welcoming Valarie followed by Janet then Jeff, her baby boy.
She attended West Tennessee Business College to begin studying accounting but was quickly offered a role at Southern Supply Company in accounting which became the field she worked in through retirement from Conalco in 1994.
She enjoyed her career, but her true passion was her family which grew to include her four grandchildren, Jason and Shelby Seavers, Nathan (Kristin) Spragins and Bethany (Kyle) Spragins Lutz. She was blessed to continue to see her family grow with her great-grandchildren Eli, Hannah Kate, Abe, and Shep Lutz and Mae Spragins.
Her eldest grandson, Jason, had the honor of selecting her nickname when she was promoted to grandmother. He could not say grandmother which was the name she had chosen for her new title, but he only managed to say ‘Mur’. Forever more she has been Mur.
Mur is survived by her three children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who will all miss her loving spirit and ability to bring people together but will confidently carry on her legacy with love.
She was proceeded in death by her first love and father of children Robert Walker Jr. as well as her second husband, Bill Holder, who she enjoyed many adventures with later in life. She joins her mother and father along with her siblings Leo Deaton Jr., Jane Usery, Richard Deaton, Virginia ‘Gina’ Wilson, Gary Deaton and Angie Golman in heaven to watch over their son and brother, Bo Deaton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Juntos International, Inc., to support the elder’s program in Nicaragua. Please indicate ‘In Memory of Mur’. You can mail check to Juntos International, Inc, 505 Phillips Drive, Franklin, TN 37067 or Venmo @shelby-seavers.
As Mur would say: I love you. Sweet Dreams. God Bless you. And remember, you always need a laugh.
Pallbearers to serve will be Josh Croft, Chris Deaton, Don Deaton, Keith Deaton, Jay Johnson, and Rick Wilson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Gregg Deaton, Jeff Lovell, and Terry Wilson.
A service to celebrate Mur’s life will be held on Friday May 17, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the South Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons with Bro. Manning Garrett officiating. The family will begin receiving friends and loved ones at 11 am until the hour of service. Burial will follow in East Laurel Cemetery.
