Ruth Holt, age 85, widow of Willie Holt, of Ashland, formerly of Martin, died Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, in the Woodland Oaks Health Care Center, in Ashland.

She was born Aug. 23, 1927, in Allen, a daughter of the late John E. and Darcus Wills Laferty. Ruth was a member of the Martin Freewill Baptist Church, worked at the Mountain Mission in Martin and was a volunteer for the Christian Appalachian Project.

She is survived by a daughter, Shirley (Ray) Burchett, of Ashland; three brothers, Bill Branham, of Columbus, Ohio, Dick Laferty, of Middletown, Ohio, and Bascom Laferty, of Arkansas; a sister, Mary Ellen Douridas, of Columbus, Ohio; two daughters-in-law, Janice Holt and Sandra Holt; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Mason Holt, and a step-son, Willie Holt Jr.

Funeral services for Ruth Holt were conducted Monday, Oct. 22, in the Hall Funeral Home Chapel, in Martin, with Johnny Blair officiating. Burial followed in the Davidson Memorial Gardens, at Ivel, with the Hall Funeral Home caring for those arrangements.