Velma "Toni" Pearlee Holdren

June 9, 1927 - October 26, 2020

Velma “Toni” Pearlee Holdren, age 93, died peacefully in her home on October 26th, 2020, in Houston, Texas. Toni is survived by her grandchildren, Toni Byrd, Steve Bishop, Mark Bishop and Christina Umberger; and great grandchildren, Devin Bishop, Grant Bishop, Kathryn Bishop, Lisa Bishop, Haley Umberger and Hayden Umberger; sister, Jean Vawters Scott; and brother Joe C. Vawters;. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Holdren; her daughter, Billie Carol Bishop; and parents Joe Wesley Vawters and Lillie Ramesha Sapp. Toni was born on June 9th, 1927 in Rosebud, Texas, to parents Joe Wesley Vawters and Lillie Ramesha Sapp. She was a fantastic grandma and great grandmother. Although she had no formal education, she was a very savvy business woman whose ability to compute numbers in her head was amazing. She enjoyed making money, but more importantly she enjoyed the hard work that was required to make it. Even though she enjoyed making money, she was a very frugal woman who did not like to spend it. She also enjoyed working in her yard, which she was able to do until the very end. We will also be holding a Memorial Service along with Velma's funeral for Velma's daughter Billie Carol Bishop who recently passed away. Billie Carol Bishop, age 76, died of lung cancer on June 3rd, 2020, in Round Rock, Texas. Billie is survived by her children, Toni Byrd, Steve Bishop, Mark Bishop and Christina Umberger; grandchildren, Devin Bishop, Grant Bishop, Kathryn Bishop, Lisa Bishop, Haley Umberger and Hayden Umberger; and mother, Velma “Toni” Holdren. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Jo Bishop ; and her father, Joe Burns Linn. Billie was born on June 17th, 1943 in Hearne, Texas, to parents Joe Burns Linn and Velma “Toni” Vawters. Late in life she returned to school to pursue a career as a medical assistant, where she graduated with honors. She worked at a doctor’s office for many years until she retired and moved to the farm she loved in Taylor, Texas. Billie was a loving mother who always made sure her children had a place to come home to. She had a sharp, well-tuned sense of humor and could always make you laugh. She will be missed.