Holt praised for generosity as Ruritan?s Citizen of Year

Sue Anderson was named Morrison Ruritan of the Year. Pictured are Anderson, left, being presented with her plaque and award by Ashley Freeze Jr.

Relatives, friends and neighbors gathered Friday night to honor Martha Bouldin Holt as Morrison Ruritan?s 2007 Citizen of the Year. During festivities, Sue Anderson was named 2007 Ruritan of the Year.

Asked to speak and honor Holt was longtime friend and family member Paul Ledford, who began his speech warning people that he wasn?t a man of few words like President Calvin Coolidge.

?When Mr. Jacobs called and asked me to come tonight and say a few words about Martha, I have to warn you folks that I?m not like silent Cal,? said Ledford. ?We have a family reunion every year and there is one rule that we try to focus on and that is: If you catch your breath, you loose your turn. I think I?ve lost my turn once or twice in the last four to five years.?

In addition to being a neighbor, Ledford is kin to Holt.

?She is also my wife?s aunt,? said Ledford. ?Now folks, if there is one thing I?ve learned in the last 49 years that Frances and I have been married, when you start talking about your wife?s kinfolks, you better do it the same way you would handle a porcupine and that?s very carefully.?

While Martha and her husband, Rayburn, don?t have children of their own, they stay busy spoiling everybody else?s.

?My son included,? said Ledford. ?When he wanted to come to Tennessee and study engineering at Tennessee Tech, he just loved to come and visit. I believe he enjoyed it so much was because aunt Martha introduced him to her homemade, made-from-scratch biscuits, some farm ham and her famous chocolate gravy. ?

Holt contributes much to the county and community and never expects any compensation. Ledford attributes Holt?s spirit of giving to her family.

?I don?t think you have to look very far to find where she got her generous nature,? said Ledford. ?That?s her family. To say that the Holt family, the Roberts family and the Bouldin family kind of like each other would be a gross understatement. I firmly believe that they are the kind of people, pioneer stock, that made our country great. I think those families in particular make Warren County such a nice place to live.?

Although Ledford stopped short of revealing any ?secrets? Holt might have, he did add, ?We love you, respect you and appreciate you for being the sweet Christian lady that you are. I also appreciate the Ruritan club for recognizing the fine qualities in you and naming you Citizen of the Year.?

Past winner of Ruritan of the Year, Ashley Freeze Jr., presented Anderson with the honor of 2007 Ruritan of the Year.

?She is always willing to pick up her share and more when there is anything to do,? said Freeze. ?Every organization has to have someone who holds everything together and this person is certainly part of the glue that holds the club together.?

Ruritan?s Citizen of the Year is chosen by Ruritan members after receiving nomination letters from the community. Because Ruritan members cannot be selected as Citizen of the Year, they vote among themselves for who will receive Ruritan of the Year.