A Life Story
Ansel Tennyson Holder, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and community leader, who left us on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026. Tennyson was born to Alfred Tennyson Holder and Foy Couey Holder. on February 8th, 1941, in Wheeler County Georgia. Tennyson moved to Savannah, Ga when he was a child, here he grew and graduated from Savannah High School in 1959. Tennyson then moved to Garden City, Ga in 1960 when he married his cherished wife Diane. Tennyson took pride in his career which he started in 1988 at Grainger, Inc, retiring in 2012 after 30 years dedicating his skills and time to his work. On October 23, 1960, Tennyson married the love of his life, Diane E. Barner, with whom he celebrated 65 years of a loving union. He was the devoted father to Deidra H. Cribbs and Denae H. Curry, and the proud grandfather whom they affectionately knew as Pappy: Jenci C. Olsen, Will Curry (Molly), Blake Curry, Corbin Curry (Jill), Lacey C. DeJesus (Joseph), Ansley Curry (Austin), and Trevor Cribbs (Lindsey). He also leaves a cherished legacy for his great-grandchildren: Carter Olsen, Kianna DeJesus, Parker Loya, Kimberly Forte, Chloe Curry, Charlotte Curry, and Zylah DeJesus, Sister Joy Holder Woodruff (Sidney), and his loving sister and brothers in law, Corbina and Ed Ike of Rincon, and Jim Barner of Pensacola, FL. Tennyson had a special place in his heart for his Couey cousins who he stayed in touch with throughout his life. Tennyson was an active figure in his community through various organizations. He was a dedicated member of the Garden City Jaycees from 1965 to 1977, serving two years as President and earning the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contributions, He played a key role in the Miss Garden City Pageants, serving as Co Chairman, and continued judging beauty pageants throughout the surrounding area alongside his wife, Diane. A member of the Frank F. Baker Masonic Lodge, Tennyson also served on the Garden City Council as a councilman, selected in 1992, serving from 1992 to 2007. During this time, he was chairman of the building committee for the Garden City Senior Center and served as councilman and Mayor Pro Tem from 2007 to 2009, and was elected Mayor from 2009 to 2016. In 2016, his contributions were honored when the intersection of Chatham Parkway and Telfair Road was named the "Tennyson Holder Intersection." Tennyson was a member of Chapel in the Gardens Presbyterian Church where he served as Deacon and Elder, all while he and Diane were Co-Founders of the Sunshine Charmers Senior Adult Ministry. He was a dedicated family man, attending countless events, dance recitals, beauty pageants, football games, baseball games, and graduations, supporting his family at every level of their educational journeys. Tennyson is predeceased by his parents, Alfred Tennyson Holder and Foy Holder, and a baby daughter born in 1977. A visitation will be held at Baker McCullough Funeral Home Garden City Chapel, Garden City, Georgia on Monday, September 28th, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will take place at the Chapel In the Gardens Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, September 29th, 2026, at 11:00 am with Rev. Daren Russell officiating. Services have been entrusted to Baker McCullough Funeral Home Garden City Chapel, 2794 West US Highway 80 Garden City, GA 31408. (912) 964-2862. www.bakermccullough.com