Christelle T Holt

Christelle T. Holt passed away on Sunday morning, December 11, 2022 surrounded by her family in her home of 49 years in San Angelo, Texas. She was as radiant and gracious in the end as she had been her whole life. A fourth generation San Angeloan, she was a much-loved member of her community, enriching the lives of all who knew her. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Steve, two daughters, Audrey Holt (Doug Klepper), Shelby Holt (George Burmeister), granddaughter (Emma Burkey), brother-in-law, Greg Holt, and nephew, David Holt and his family.

Chris was a war baby born to Lieutenant Joseph “Jake” Greenwell and Christelle Yaggy Greenwell on August 2, 1944. Jake, a B-24 bomber pilot, was killed on a bombing mission the following March. After the war, her mother married George C. Taylor who adopted and raised her as his daughter. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Chip Taylor, his son Ty, aunts, Sarah Otto and Gloria Doran.

Chris attended Southern Methodist University where she enjoyed playing in her sorority’s band, the Kappa Pickers. After marrying Steve, the couple moved to Austin where she earned a BA in History at The University of Texas. She was an avid reader and talented writer.

Chris’s natural artistry manifested in her needlepoint and knitting. Many will also remember her as an inspired cook, catering with her friend Sue Sims, but most of all, creating fine meals for family and friends. She continued to express her creativity as the special events coordinator at Fort Concho. She treasured her membership in the 20th Century Club, co-founded the West Texas Readers Club, and helped develop the San Angelo Nature Center.

Her family will remember her best at the cabin built in 1948 by her grandparents in Holy Ghost Canyon in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico where she spent every summer. Here she loved sharing family traditions like raspberry picking with her daughters and teaching her granddaughter to make biscuits. She delighted in the mountains and all of the canyon’s creatures. She never overlooked the small things such as heart-shaped rocks and the glistening of water droplets in the pine trees after a rain.

Chris also enjoyed many Sunday afternoons at her family’s Camp on the South Concho River in Christoval, Texas. There she taught her girls to swim and took naps with her granddaughter on the swinging beds.

Perhaps her deep love of the natural world was most apparent during her sailing trips with Steve and dear friends. Chris was completely at home on the ocean and was proud of her blue water sailor status.

Chris was full of compassion, empathy, and gratitude. The family is most grateful to the friends who created a beautiful space and welcomed them home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to West Texas Counseling and Guidance Center and West Texas Rehabilitation Center. There will be a celebration of life on December 28 at 10:30 am at Emmanuel Episcopal Church (3 South Randolph, streaming at emmanuel-sa.org or youtube.com), where Chris was a lifelong member. A reception will immediately follow the service at the Holt’s home.