Donald Carthorn Holsey

In memory of our loving father, Donald Carthorn Holsey, returned to God’s Kingdom on April 13, 2024. 

Don was born to Carthorn and Marzella Holsey on Saturday, November 29, 1952, in Albany, Georgia.  He excelled academically and was a talented athlete and musician.  His favorite sport was basketball, and he played the sousaphone in the Monroe Comprehensive High School marching band.  His favorite subjects were math, science, and history.  After graduating from high school in 1970, Don became a truck driver for local deliveries and later an expert printer press operator at The Albany Herald.  On May 14, 1980, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Deborah Roberts who preceded him in death.

Don was also quite the business-savvy entrepreneur and entertainer!  Always the life of the party, Don quickly became one of the most skilled and well-recognized disc jockeys of his time.  He also operated the family restaurant, “The Lunch Room,” providing a loving atmosphere and great food to locals and travelers alike.  Additionally, Don owned and operated several businesses with focus areas in construction, carpentry, roofing, home remodeling, painting, landscaping, lawnmowing, fencing, and property management.  When Don wasn’t busy building, repairing, maintaining, or managing, he was in one of his three gardens planting vegetables and fruits or making his famous pepper sauce!  He truly was a jack of all trades!

Don is survived by his four children, Vico (Lakeisha) Holsey, Donald (Felicia) Holsey Jr., Juahika (Candice Peterson) Holsey, and Akilah (Lloyd) Fisher; two grandchildren, Calah Gowdy and Iman Holsey; one sister, Linda Keigler; and two brothers, Charles (Deborah) Holsey and Frederick (Annie) Holsey.  Don also has a myriad of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that he leaves to cherish wonderful memories.

Don held many titles in his life, from artist to entrepreneur, but his favorite and proudest role was being a father.  He loved nothing more than spending time with his children.  He was always there for them, sharing his wisdom, leading Bible studies, teaching them skills and life lessons, and cheering them on at every life milestone.

Don’s willingness to provide unconditional love, empathy, and compassion for all people, his wisdom, sense of humor, generosity, and ability to bring people together in fellowship were his greatest gifts to those who had the honor and privilege of knowing him.  Don was a strong believer and follower of Jesus Christ and lived a life of integrity and hard work to provide for his family.  Don was an ordinary man with incredible faith that God used to do the extraordinary.  May the work he’s done speak for him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association in Don’s name.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Carthorn Holsey, please visit our floral store.