Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Carol Chaney Holt was born on February 12, 1938, in Washington, D.C., to the late James H. (Jimmy) Holt Jr. and the late Irene Fletcher Holt. She was the third of four children. Because she and her paternal grandfather shared a birthday, he gave her his mother’s maiden name, Chaney. They shared a close relationship until his death. To her family, she became known as Chaney. 

Carol was born at the old Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., but was raised in Maryland. Once she left the hospital, the family settled in the home of Grandma Christine Perry Fletcher in Prince George’s County, Maryland. There, she joined her sisters Agnes (Tiny) and Geraldine. Two brothers, James III and Forrest, joined the family within the next four years. They had to wait a few years for brother Bruce to complete the family. Carol began her school life at St. Mary’s School in Upper Marlboro, MD. At the age of eight, the family moved to Anne Arundel County, where she attended Bayard Elementary School. She then attended Wiley H. Bates High School in Annapolis, graduating in 1955. 

With teachers on both sides of the family, her desire to teach was born. She enrolled at Bowie State College and earned her B.S. degree in 1959. She began her teaching career at Adams Park Elementary in Annapolis, where she met African-American Supervisor Ms. Sarah V. Jones, who helped prepare her for some of the challenges she would encounter in her teaching career. She loved working with the children there and made many new and lifelong friends. She was transferred to Carrie Weedon Elementary in Galesville in 1966. She later moved to Belle Grove Elementary in Brooklyn Park, Maryland, where she remained for 27 years until her retirement in 1996. She taught mainly grades 1–4. During those years, Carol attended Morgan State University, where she earned her Master of Science degree. She touched the lives of over one thousand children and was highly respected by principals, students, and parents. She was especially delighted when former students returned as parents and shared memories of their time in her class. 

In 1982, Chaney became a homeowner and moved to Dukeland Street. At the same time, she became a member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church. Carol was active with the Adult Committee of the Boy Scout Troop, worked in the soup kitchen for many years, helped with the Social Life Committee, served as Treasurer and Secretary to the Ushers, then as Secretary to the Parish Council, and later worked as a counter on the Finance Committee. 

Chaney enjoyed traveling across the country to at least 40 states. She was an avid reader, loved to bowl and shop, and had an extensive record collection that she spent much time enjoying. Additionally, she helped care for her father and mother and, later, her sister Geraldine. 

Chaney loved family. She cherished gatherings under the big tree in her mother’s yard. She took great joy in her growing family and loved the title “Aunt Chaney.” 

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, James and Irene Holt; her siblings, Agnes Fletcher, Geraldine Smith, James Holt (Shirley), Forrest Holt, Sr., and Bruce Holt (Helen); and her niece, Angela Fletcher Hall. 

She leaves a legacy of love to her aunt, Matilda Fletcher; sisters-in-law, Shirley Holt and Mary Holt; nieces and nephews; and great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Carol’s life on June 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD, where her memorial service will be held on Friday, June 19, at 10 a.m.

Online condolences may be made using the Memories tab on this page. 

Carol Holt

Carol Holt

Carol Holt Services

Memorial Gathering

Memorial Service