Aurora “Rita” Holley

Posted on September 2, 2020

Aurora “Rita” Holley, 87, of Perry joined her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Lafayette Health Care in Mayo, following an extended illness.

Rita was born May 14, 1933, in Fairmont, W. Va., to Manuel Ribero and Helen Onori Ribero.

After graduating high school, she moved to Washington, D.C., and worked for the FBI.

There, she met and married Alton Grantham. They moved to Gainesville and then to Perry where she lived for 61 years.

Holley was a founding and faithful member of Faith Baptist Church, where she taught at the church preschool. She also taught at Happy Time Preschool and her daughter’s Kiddie Kollege Preschool.

She loved teaching children and taught many children about the Lord.

Rita worked at numerous businesses in Perry including TG&Y and Lockhart’s Drug Store.

In her spare time, she enjoyed doing needlepoint, crocheting and reading. She also volunteered at Our Father’s Storehouse, her grandchildren’s school and as a poll worker.

She loved her cats and dogs and going out with her friends to the movies and lunch.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Manuel and Helen Ribero; a son, James “Jimmy” Grantham; her husband, Lauten “Bob” Holley; and a sister, Louise Equi.

She is survived by: a daughter, Suzanne Strickland, and husband, Wayne; a son, Jeffrey Grantham, and wife Carrie; five grandchildren, Courtney Witt, Daniel Strickland, Jeffrey Grantham, Seth Grantham and Claudia Strickland; and two great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A private service will be held by the family at a later time.

Cremation arrangements are under the care of Burns Funeral Home of Perry. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.