YOUNGSVILLE - Richard Neil Holden of Youngsville passed away peacefully Monday, July 6, 2015, surrounded by his family at Rex Hospital after fighting a courageous battle with cancer for more than a year.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon, July 9, 2015 in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mark Harrison officiating. Burial will follow in the Youngsville Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites.

Neil was born August 3, 1949 to the late Berry Patterson "B.P." Holden, Jr. and Bertha Mason Holden and was raised in Franklin County on land that has been in the family for 5 generations and is registered as a Century Farm. Since 1980, he owned & operated the family business of Holden's BBQ, which was established in 1964. He was a board member of Franklin County Committee of 100 from 1998 to 2014 and served on the Youngsville Planning Board from 1996 to 2007. Neil was a member of Granville Lodge #380 A.F. & A.M. and a member of Wake Union Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Deborah Young Holden; sisters, Ginny Holden Keith and husband, Charles, of Youngsville, and Judy Holden Hill and husband, John, of Rock Hill, SC; sister-in-law, Linda Young Sandlin of Lake Royale; mother-in-law, Doris Woodlief of Wake Forest; many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Neil was preceded in death by his brother, Randall Patterson "Randy" Holden.

Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Granville Lodge #380 A.F. & A.M., c/o J.P. Price, 2816 New Hope Church Road, Raleigh, NC 27604 or to Wake Union Baptist Church, 13345 Wake Union Church Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587.

Friends may visit with the family from 6-8 Wednesday evening, July 8, 2015, at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 S. Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 (919-556-5811) and immediately following the burial at the cemetery.

www.brightfunerals.com

Paid Obituary