Isaac "IJ" James Holder

Isaac “I.J.” James Holder, 78, a lifetime resident of Jonesboro and the surrounding area died Monday, May 11, 2026, at NEA Baptist Hospital. He was born in Cash, Arkansas to Isaac and Martha Holder on October 20, 1947. He was of the Baptist belief. In his younger years, he loved playing basketball and enjoyed watching college hoops whenever possible. He retired from Lincoln Manufacturing after 28 years. IJ had an incredible voice and loved singing at nursing home and entertaining the guest. He was very much a family man and loved his family very much. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Michael; brothers, Otis Holder and Ules Holder; sisters, Mary McCurn, Flossie Smith, Hazel Sisks, and Glenna Caruthers; four infant children, Charley, James, Retha and Emily.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Sheralyn Vinson, of the home; son, Ronnie Holden and wife Teri of Imboden; daughters, Kathy Holden; Stacey Harvey and Husband Daryl all of Jonesboro; brother, Larry Holder of Indianapolis, Indiana; sisters, Ellen Dean Gentry of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas; Carolyn Russell of Indiana; Freda Rhodes of Otwell; and Sharon Huskey of Tuckerman; seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be at 2:00 Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Cash First Baptist Church with Rick Vinson and Jerry Vinson officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. The burial will follow at Arnold Cemetery near Swifton with family members serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer is Wayne Vinson. Visitation will be from 1:00 until service time. To sign an online guestbook go to emersonfuneralhome.com.