It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dorothy Gilmore Holder of Mount Pleasant, SC on January 27, 2025. Dorothy (Dot) was born July 17, 1928, in Greenville, South Carolina to William Copeland Gilmore and Mattie (LeVegia) Miller Gilmore. She grew up in the Dunean community surrounded by a large, loving and active family. After graduating from Parker High School, Dot furthered her education at Columbia College. While on summer break, she met her future husband of 60 years, George Thomas Holder, while swimming at Paris Mountain State Park. After their wedding in 1947, Dot paused her education to share their love for the outdoors as George served at Lee and Cheraw State Parks. Their years in Cheraw were blessed with the birth of their two sons, George and Robert. The family moved to Columbia, SC in 1965. They were active members of Virginia Wingard United Methodist Church where Dot taught kindergarten and Sunday School.

In 1969, Dot resumed her education at Columbia College and soon completed her degree in Early Childhood Education. Upon graduation she began teaching kindergarten at Claude A. Taylor Elementary School where she worked devotedly for over 20 years.

In 1974, Dot and George purchased property on Roaring Rock Mountain near Chimney Rock, North Carolina, where they continued to share their love of the outdoors for over 30 years. After George's passing, Dot moved to the Columbia Presbyterian Home in 2011 and later relocated to Charleston in 2020 to be closer to family.

Dot was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and four siblings: Hazel Elvira Gilmore, W. C. Gilmore, Jr., Wade Dalton Gilmore, and Lamar Miller Gilmore. She is survived by her sons, George T. Holder, Jr. (Ginny) and Robert E. Holder (Kris); and four grandchildren: Kate Holder (Lucas), Thomas Holder, Jackson Holder (Kody) and Linden Barringer (Kendall).

Dot will be remembered for her nurturing spirit, love of the outdoors, and dedication to her church and students. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

A memorial service, followed by a reception will be held on Saturday February 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Virginia Wingard United Methodist Church at 1500 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. Friends and family are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dot's memory to Virginia Wingard United Methodist Church at 1500 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210.