Obituaries:  Thelma Holt Hittell, Sabine Parish       H-340
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Mar 13, 2002
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net


**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
**

Thelma Holt Hittell (Photo)

  Thelma Holt Hittell, the oldest child of Samuel Anderson Holt
and Effie Lea Wright Holt, was born February 26, 1912, in
Alexandria.

  Her earthly existence ended on March 9, 2002, in Shreveport. As
an educator, beginning in 1930, at the age of 18, she taught in
the public schools of Louisiana, Michigan, and Mississippi for 46
years, influencing literally thousands of lives for the better
during, and following her professional life. A proud,
extraordinary lady of strong convictions, and rock-solid values,
her brilliant mind served as a bacon to truth for many. Her sharp
wit and sense of fun endeared her to those fortunate enough to be
part of her inner circle of friends. One mischievous glance from
her sparkling blue eyes could speak volumes, and she had a smile
that lit up the room.

  Her strength, courage, and inquiring mind led her to seek and
experience the joy of life. In her last decade, her sense of
adventure led her to fly alone to Puerto Rico to visit her
beloved stepson, and, at age 85, to join the Sabine Parish
Players and begin a second career as an actress, at which she
excelled. None who saw her perform will ever forget her work as
Dr. Seward in "Dracula", Cousin Capulet in Shakespeare's "Romeo
and Juliet", and Baptista Minola in his "Taming of the Shrew".
Her finest work was perhaps her last role in "Twigs", at the
Sabine Theatre, where the excellence of her performance caused
the theatre to literally rock with laughter. She brought down the
house.

  The windows, chandeliers, and cross in the sanctuary of the
Belmont Union Baptist Church, were a gift from Mrs. Hittell. An
avid gardener, she managed to coax lush blossoms from her peony
plants, a rarity in the south. Always impeccably dressed, even at
home in her kitchen, her beautiful snow white hair perfectly
coiffed, she was a superb example of quality, style, and grace.
To paraphrase the Bard, "She was a woman, take her for all in
all, we shall not look upon her like again."

  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John
Lindsay Hittell; and twin stepsons, John, and Jim Hittell.

  She leaves behind, three dear sisters, Daisy Van Neste of
DeRidder, Katherine Patrick of Dallas, Texas, and Marie Brown of
Kingman, Ariz.; one stepson, Jack Hittell of Puerto Rico; and his
children; a step daughter, Marie Hittell; a host of nieces,
nephews, great nieces and nephews; and a legion of devoted
friends.

  Funeral services were held on March 12, at the Belmont Union
Baptist Church, where Mrs. Hittell was a member. The Rev. Glen
Howard officiated, and interment was in the Belmont Cemetery.

  Pallbearers were Patrick Hall, Pat Patrick, Allen Isgitt, Billy
Frank Howard, Jim Peterson, and Randy Byrd. Honorary pallbearers
were Jack Hittell, and Dave Hall. Special music was provided by
Dan Grey, and Laurice Bozeman.