PHYLLIS KAYE DOOLEY HOLDER: December 23, 1944—January 27, 2026.
Phyllis Kaye Dooley Holder passed away on January 27, following an extended illness. Phyllis was the daughter of James C. Dooley and Doris Smith Dooley of Bryan. Two younger brothers, James Dooley II and Jay Dooley, predeceased her. She is survived by her husband and two sons, LTG (US Army, Retired) Leonard D. “Don” Holder, Jr., Douglas Holder of Longview, and Mark Holder of Lawrence KS; by her daughters-in-law, Stacey and Kris; and by four granddaughters.
Born on December 23, 1944, Phyllis grew up in Bryan, a hometown that she idealized. Intelligent and outgoing, she was a leader and the valedictorian of her Stephen F. Austin High School Class of 1963. She studied foreign languages at Baylor and Texas at A&M and was among the first women admitted to A&M. She left school to marry Don Holder in 1966 and took up life as an Army wife. Phyllis and her family moved often, living for years in Germany and at Ft. Leavenworth KS. While in Kansas, she completed her bachelor’s degree in education and afterwards became an exceptional teacher.
Phyllis was a devoted mother who gave her sons a loving home full of fun, activity, and delicious meals. She was a woman whose heart was always turned toward her family, and in her best years she filled every room with warmth and an easy generosity that made people feel instantly at home. She was a wonderful listener and served as a source of comfort and a source of strength to those around her. She was adored by her siblings and cousins, who carry countless memories of shared jokes, long conversations, and uncomplicated happiness.
Loved deeply by friends all over the country, Phyllis inspired and cared for hundreds of family members when Don’s Army unit deployed from Germany to Saudi Arabia for the Gulf War. Working without pay or any official authority, she sustained soldiers’ loved ones through a tense time. Hundreds of friends loved her for her devotion to their wellbeing and for her clear witness of her Christian faith.
Phyllis and Don retired to Salado TX in 1997. They were members of Salado United Methodist Church, where she took part in its worship and programs energetically until overcome by illness. She lived her final eight years in a memory care facility in Temple.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store. Obituary was published on Legacy.com by Broecker Funeral Home on January 28, 2026.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/phyllis-holder-obituary?id=60655997
Dave Mayfield
So, so, so sad. Phyllis was one of my best friends during my SFA days. Many fond memories. It sounds like she had a great life.
Charlotte Cole (Wilson)
Well, PK and I started out at Travis together and wound up spending hours either at her house or at my house. I guess my favorite time was at her house playing Jax on her kitchen porch concrete floor while eating a popcorn ball that her mother made for us and sipping iced tea from a metal tea glass.
And I was very grateful to her Aunt, Miss Hazel Dooley, the day Jimmy Coody stepped on my new white petticoat that was peaking out from my skirt hem while I was playing marbles at the rear Travis playground fence. When I jumped up, yards of ruffles ripped off. Fortunately, Phyllis found Miss Hazel, got the key to her car and I was able to store it out of sight until the bell rang that afternoon. I was soooooooooooo embarrassed.
I think I remember her having to attend Anson Jones during Jr. High, but then we got reunited at SFA and enjoyed many band practices and band trips together. I only saw her maybe twice after we graduated, which I really regret. It sounds as though she had a very meaningful life. It would have been a blessing to have shared more adulthood memories, but the ones I have will definitely last forever. Thanks for being my friend, Phyllis.
Phil Cox
Lots of time on the phone with Phyllis. She endlessly helped me with our nathnomework.