Ginger Turner Holt, 53, of Asheville, N.C., formerly of Tryon, N.C. passed away Monday, July 6, 2015 in her home.

Born in Scottsville, Ky., she was the daughter of Joe M. Turner of Tryon, N.C. and the late Judy Anderson Turner.

Ginger began to follow her life’s path to work with children as a volunteer at Tryon Elementary School. Her role at Tryon moved from that of a volunteer to a teaching assistant position and then to Tryon Elementary School secretary before becoming secretary at Polk County High School.

Ginger’s first teaching assignment upon receiving her bachelor’s degree was to help coordinate and serve as lead teacher for Polk County’s first Advancement Center School within a School. After teaching at Tryon High School, Ginger taught at Tryon Elementary School as a first and third grade classroom teacher for eight years. Ginger later worked for Asheville City Schools as a literacy coach and as an elementary and middle school teacher for Madison County Schools.

During her career at Tryon Elementary, Ginger coached Odyssey of the Mind academic teams excelling in competition and helped to organize the initial Odyssey of the Mind team while teaching at Mars Hill Elementary School.

Ginger ended her teaching career in the same role she began, as a volunteer at Tryon Elementary School. The family would like to sincerely thank all who supported and assisted Ginger during this closing time of her professional life.

Ginger enjoyed gathering books to share with students, fly fishing, hiking, camping, and travel; but teaching was her passion.

Surviving is her husband of 35 years, Tom Holt; a daughter, Jennifer Lee Holt of Carrboro, N.C., a son, Matthew Thomas Holt of Portland, Ore.;  father, Joe Turner of Tryon, N.C. and brother, Jon Turner (April) of Greenville, S.C. Also surviving are four nieces and one nephew.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Judy Anderson Turner and a brother, Jason Turner.

A celebration of her life will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2015 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, N.C.

The family will receive friends from 11-11:45 a.m. prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Memory Care, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803 and the Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel
Tryon, N.C.