Becky Adams Holder

After graduation from ETSU in 1969, I taught school for one year at Marshall High, then one year at Pemberton HS when Texas integrated, and then back to MHS. I headed to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in January, 1973, met my future husband there, and married in April, 1973. My husband was a Southern Baptist pastor, and we have lived all over Louisiana: Raceland, Kentwood, Folsom, Bogalusa, and are presently in Hattiesburg, MS, where we have been for the past 24 years. I started teaching school again while in Folsom. I taught elementary French in Bogalusa, LA, for four years. When we moved to Hattiesburg, I got a job at Forrest County Agricultural High School. I stayed there for 17 1/2 years, teaching English II, English IV, French I, French II, and French III, mostly teaching Senior English. On December 18, 2012, I retired. In retirement I have stayed so busy. Between my yard and my house, the work is never ending, and I'm glad I have a plethora of things to do with my time. My husband retired at the end of February after forty-six years of ministry; however, he is now pastor of a part-time church in Petal, MS. Bobby's twin sisters who we took care of for 2 1/2 years are now in a nursing home in Petal; they are 63 years old and are suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. Bobby buried his two younger brothers in 2015. One of his sisters is now on hospice. I taught French I and French II at Presbyterian Christian School in Hattiesburg from 2015 - 2017 and have permanently retired this time. My husband permanently retired himself at the end of March, 2019. Last year he laid to rest one of his twin sisters, at the age of 63. He has preached the funerals of his brothers and sister as well as other family members; I have provided the music at these services. His other sister Jean is 64 and is in a wheelchair.

I especially remember my participation in several different choirs while at MHS. I was in the Honor Choir for several years, and I remember how tough our director, Mr. Matheny, was. He and I had quite a few differences of opinion. I also remember being in All-State Choir in 1965 and what an honor that was. I remember having Henry Mancini directing that choir in Dallas. I fondly remember participating in the Honor Sextet, even though at that time, most people would see the word "Sextet" and think of other things besides the fact that there were six of us performing! I tried to contact Mr. Matheny several years ago but was unable to communicate with him. I was saddened at his recent passing.
Another memory I have is of Miss Selma Brotze, our undaunted senior English teacher. As I spent quite a few of the last years teaching seniors, I was reminded of what a hard job it must have been for her. But she took it all in stride and managed to make even those macho football players cower in her presence. She was a formidable teacher but one I grew to respect because of all she taught me. I remember her calling a pencil sharpener a "pencil grinder." I also remember her making you go outside if you said "Excuse me" instead of "Pardon me" when you bumped into someone. In fact, it has become so much a part of me from that 1964/65 senior year that I did the same thing to my own students! She was truly a oner as well as a winner.

Live somewhere it snows consistently for at least one winter
Go back to Europe and share it with my husband

No

No

No

Make close friendships

I have become rather outgoing, unlike what you would have known in high school.

Austria or Switzerland

France
England
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Italy
Netherlands.