Holder, Elizabeth Lee Cundiff "Betty"

MARSHALL - Services for Elizabeth Lee "Ms. Betty" Cundiff Holder, of Caddo Lake,
 will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 8, 2007, at Downs Funeral Home Chapel, with 
Brother Joe Chisum officiating. Interment will follow in Andrew Cemetery. Mrs. 
Holder died July 4, 2007.

Born May 18, 1929, in Homer, La., she was the owner of Caddo Grocery and former 
mayor of Uncertain. Survivors include her husband, Robert "Robin" Holder; sister, 
Ruth Rice; and daughter, Debbie Zima. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, 
July 7, 2007, at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at keithadowns@aol.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 7/6/2007.

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Holder, Elizabeth Lee Cundiff "Betty"   	

Elizabeth Lee Cundiff Holder, affectionately known far and wide as "Ms. Betty" 
of Caddo Lake, passed away Wednesday, July 4, 2007, after a long illness that 
she battled with characteristic determination and courage. Ms. Betty died 
peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends.

She was born May 18, 1929, in Homer, Louisiana, to S.L. and M. Lee Cundiff.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; a son, Jay Allen Miller; 
her brothers, Junior "Jay" Cundiff and Raymond "Bud" Cundiff; and granddaughter, 
Ashley Jeanette Pierce.

She is survived by her husband, Robert "Robin" Holder of Uncertain; a sister 
and brother-in-law, Ruth and Harold Rice of Kilgore; daughter, Debbie Zima and 
her companion, Les Sharp, of Uncertain; a grandson, Stacy Leach, a recent 
graduate of Texas A&M Veterinary School, now interning in Missouri; and a 
granddaughter, Jamie Leach.

Ms. Betty was the owner of Caddo Grocery and the former mayor of Uncertain, 
Texas. She was a stalwart protector of Caddo Lake and a devoted champion of all 
who live in the lake communities. She was a renowned fisher woman and a vibrant 
personality who left an indelible impression on all who met her.

Betty was educated in the Kilgore public schools and worked 30 years in the 
medical offices of Dr. Allums and Dr. Zapata in Kilgore. Her love affair with 
Caddo Lake started in the 1970s, when she began visiting the lake on weekends 
and holidays. She moved permanently to Caddo Lake in the early 1980s and was a 
much sought-after fishing guide before opening Caddo Grocery.

During her 10-year tenure as mayor of Uncertain, she was a tireless worker who 
brought many improvements to her town and helped unite the diverse communities 
around the lake to protect it for the enjoyment of future generations. Ms. Betty 
helped establish the Caddo Lake Institute and was a longtime supporter of the 
Greater Caddo Lake Association.

She was an integral part of Caddo Lake, becoming designated a Wetland of 
International Importance, and the establishment of the Caddo Lake National 
Wildlife Refuge. She will long be remembered as a warm and generous person who 
filled every moment of her life, and those around her, with enthusiasm and 
adventure. No job was too little or too big for Ms. Betty, and when she took on 
a job, it got done. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. today, July 7, at Downs Funeral Home in Marshall.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, July 8, at Downs Funeral Home. Burial 
will follow in Andrews Cemetery on Highway 43 near Karnack.

Pallbearers will be Rick Michaels, Bengi Crowsey, Jack Canson, Carl Anderson, 
Harry Hall, Bill Vance and Wayne VanDeventer.

Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Carter, Bill Denham, Jimbo Ellis, Gerald 
Hensley, Dwight Shellman, Don Henley, Tommy Merritt and Tom McCool.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Caddo Lake Institute, 
Greater Caddo Lake Association, and East Texas Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at keithadowns@aol.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 7/7/2007.