Funeral Services for Shirley Ann Holden, Age 78 of West Plains, Missouri will be held on Monday, November 2nd, 2026 at The His Place House of Worship, West Plains, Missouri, beginning at 10:00 AM. Visitation will take place also at The His Place House of Worship, West Plains, Missouri, from 5:00-7:00 PM. Burial will take place in The Elk Creek Cemetery, West Plains, Missouri.
Mrs. Holden passed away at 6:29 p.m., Monday, October 26, 2026, at West Vue Nursing Center.
She was born January 31, 1948, at Windsor, Illinois, to Loren and Loar Tharp. At this time she became child #10 of a family that would eventually become a household with 16 children. Later in life, the Tharp family would settle in West Plains. Shirley was an alumni of Elk Creek, Junction Hill and West Pains High School where she graduated in 1966. On December 20, 1968, she was married to Ivan “Clay” Holden, Jr., and started a life and family. Shirley went on to have three children, Sherry, Galen and Tonya. Shirley loved to garden, have get togethers and cooking. She loved her children and especially her grandchildren. You could find her busy almost anytime. Shirley enjoyed spending time after losing Clay with her family and playing bingo at the Senior Citizens Center as well as quilting with her lady friends from Church. Shirley attended River of Live Church for many years. She loved leading Praise and Worship, singing specials and making sure her kids could sing, even if she had to drag them on stage. Mrs. Holden was employed at Regal Beloit (Marathon Electric), where she retired in 2017 after 40 years. She treasured the many lifelong friendships from there.
Shirley leaves behind her three children, Sherry Venneman and husband, Jeff, Galen Holden and wife, Candie and Tonya Veith and husband, Tim; eight grandchildren, Caleb Venneman and wife, Kelsey, Emily Venneman, Barent Holden and wife, Keeli, Ember Veith, McKaylie Collins and husband, Colby, Creyton Sullivan, Clayre Veith and Stella Veith; one great-granddaughter, McKenzie Collins and one on the way; six siblings, Elaine Redburn, Charles Tharp, Verna May Murphy, Gary Tharp, Jerry Tharp, Keith Tharp and wife, Marilynn; her in-laws, Debbie Ball and husband, Bill, Meredith Holden, Mary Kay Ball and husband, Marvin, Patti Stone, Terri Smith and husband, Roger and Carolyn Billings and husband, Jim; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband, one granddaughter, Kiara Holden, six brothers, three sisters and several nieces, nephews and in-laws, preceded her in death.
