Grissom-Clark Funeral Home | Atlanta, GA

Obituary For Mrs. Isabelle Daniels Holston

Mrs. Isabelle Daniels Holston passed.Born to Fred and Vera Daniels, Isabelle daniels Holston became active in sports at an early age and throughout high school. Isabelle’s dream was to compete in the Olympic Games. Before graduating from Carver High School in Jakin, Georgia. Isabelle competed in several track events in Blakely, Albany, Fort Valley, Georgia and Tuskegee, Alabama.

With sacrifice, determination and diligence, Isabelle was able to earn a track scholarship to Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee with Coach Edward Temple as her track coach. There she won several national and international awards including a Bronze medal in the 4x100 meter relay during the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. She won awards at the 1955 Pan American Games in Mexico City, Mexico. She won awards at the 1959 Pan American Games in Chicago, Illinois and the Goodwill Tours where she ran in Moscow, Russia, Budapest, Hungary, Warsaw, Poland and Athens, Greece. She made all American from 1955-1959 in track and field. She was the first Tigerbelle in history to qualify and win 4th place in the 100 meters finals of the 1956 Olympics. She held records in the 60 meters, 50 yard dash, 100 meters, 100 yard dash, and the 220 yard dash.

She ran alongside her other teammates which included Olympic medal winners, Wilma Rudolph, Barbara Jones, Martha Hudson, Margaret Matthews, Mae Faggs, Lucinda Williams, Shirley Crowder and a host of other legendary Tennessee State University Tigerbelles.

As a Physical Education teacher and Girls Track coach in Dekalb County, Isabelle made outstanding accomplishments as a coach for 37 years. Her track team won seven county titles, ten regional titles and four state titles during her coaching career.

In 1982-1983, Isabelle was named Coach of the Year by the Georgia Athletic Coach’s Association. She was also awarded Regional III National Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association in 1983, 1985, and 1990. In 1992, she was honored as the All-Star Role-Model during a Georgia High School All-Star Basketball game. Within the same year, Isabelle was added to the Coaches Care Honor Roll by the Gatorade Company.

In 1983, Isabelle was inducted into the Tennessee State University Hall of Fame. In 1987, she was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. In 2006, she was inducted into the Bob Hayes Hall of Fame. She received the “Key To The City” in her hometown of Jakin, Georgia on May 27, 1995. Isabelle Daniels Holston, along with other Tennessee State University Tigerbelles, carried the Olympic Torch during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

She was currently a member of the Decatur/Dekalb Retired Educators Association and the Georgia Retired Educators Association. At the age of 77, Isabelle still participated in various county, state and national track meets for seniors, where she threw the shot put, discus, and sometimes competed in the long jump. A great friend and colleague by the name of Linda Lowery was always there to keep Isabelle moving on the track. Isabelle and Linda were both members of the Atlanta Track Club.

Isabelle was married to the Reverend Dr. Sidney R. Holston, Co-Founder of Church Twinning International, Inc., which is a non-profit ecumenical outreach ministry that joins churches in America with churches in Ghana, West Africa, Jamaica, South Africa, Peru and beyond. Reverend Holston has preached about missions work in various churches in the southeastern part of the United States which included churches such as Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., formerly pastored. He has also preached in Ghana, West Africa at Calvary Methodist Church in Accra, Ghana. The late Dr. Andrew C. Denteh, from Ghana, West Africa, was author and co-founder of Church Twinning International. Isabelle and Sidney have four children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandson. They live in Decatur, Georgia.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories, her husband, Reverend Dr. Sidney R. Holston; two sons, Sidney T. Holston and Frederick A. Holston; two daughters, Inessa F. Holston and Kezia O. Holston; two sisters, Marjorie D. Williams of Tallahassee, Florida and Marian D. Walker of Donalsonville, Georgia; one brother-in-law, Benjamin F. (Ella) Holston of Columbus, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Amber, Kenyon, Ricco, Precious, Isaac, JaKeem and Asia; one great- grandchild, Kitai; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Guest Book

Coach Holston was a great inspiration to all of us at Gordon Hiigh School. We all knew about her amazing history and we gave her the upmost respect. She will always be called Coach! You will truly be missed by the class of 86.

- Melinda Heath c/o 86

Rev. Holston, Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during your period of bereavement. The support of your family and friends, your unwavering faith, and the love of Him, the ultimate Comforter, will sustain during this challenging time. God Bless, Your Pew friends at SPC

- Henry and Bobbie Frost

Blessings for your life Aunt Isabelle! Prayers of Strength and Peace to your family, loved ones, friends, and Tennessee State University Tigerbelles. Glad that Momma (Lucinda Williams Adams) will be there!

- K. Maria Adams

We are comforted by the reality that Miss Isabelle is in the arms of her savior. Therefore we do not grieve like those who have no hope. 1Tess 4::13 We will see her again.

- Kwame and Yacoba Hudson and family

Your family is so special to us and you have our deepest sympathy and continued prayers.I remember so vividly Mrs Holston smile and her quiet manner.She will be missed.

- A L AND DOROTHY ROGERS

To the Holston Family: I pray that God covers you during your time of loss.

- Dr. Jackie E. Williams

He will swallow up* death forever,+ And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces.+(Isaiah 25:8) This prophecy tells us that one day death will be no more and no longer will we cry tears of pain but tears of joy! Please seek Jehovah God to see his promises fulfilled.....

- CM

To the Daniels-Holston family may God bless you with peace and comfort during this time bereavement. Coach Holston touched many young people lives, and she will be truly missed. Lester M. Mickens

- Lester Mickens

To the Holston family: I'm so sorry to hear that Isabelle has passed. May you all find comfort , joy and peace in the loving and kind words of Jehovah found at 1 Corinthians 15:26. You all have my deepest and sincere sympathy.

- A.Johnson

Dear Family, please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your precious loved one. I pray you will all find comfort and strength in Jesus’ promise of an earthly resurrection (Acts 24:15) and a renewed Paradise on earth, where “death will be no more” (Rev 21:3,4; John 5:28,29; Luke 23:43). May Jehovah GOD (Ps 83:18) grant you peace and comfort during this time of sorrow (Matthew 5:4). Visit www.jw.org for more info.

- V.Taylor

Sorry just found out that your wife has passed.

- PASTOR DONNIE BOKDEN SR

May your soul rest in heavenly peace. We will always love you.

- Ella Bracsher and Crystal Jones

My condolences to the family. Didn't get to meet her but I knew her through her son, Frederick. She had a very sweet spirit and seemed to be a very loving person.

- Judy Steward

REST IN PEACE

- Margaret (Holston) Singleton

I'm so sorry to hear this. Please accept my deepest condolences. May your memories warm your heart and bring a smile to your face in time. My hope is that God will give you the strength and power you need as you cope with the loss of someone so special to you. Isaiah 40:29

- Carla

I would like to offer my condolences to the family of Mrs. Holston and may God be a refuge and strength in your time of sorrow.(Psalms 46:1)

- P. Watts

Gwinnett Senior Golden Games was not the same with out our Olympian last year but we know that Miss Isabelle is leading the way in the relay in heaven. What a wonderful lady and joy to have known her for the short time she was a part of our lives. She will be missed.

- Kim Shealy

Holston Family, I pray that God will continue to cover you with grace,mercy and peace during this time. Coach Holston always showered me with love and discipline. Thank you for sharing her with us for many years! Psalm 121: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.???

- Audrey Rockymore

Rev. Holston, Kezia and family, I am so thankful to have known Isabelle Holston. I thank God for her love and prayers shared so sincerely. She was a wonderful example of Jesus the Christ, living her faith in her vocation, community, in her family. I admired her in many ways. She leaves an outstanding legacy. I loved her and I'm very sad she had to leave now. I'm praying for all of you. May God give healing strength in all the days ahead. Pauline Doty

- Pauline Doty

I send my deepest condolences to the family. May you gain comfort and strength by remembering that God cares ( 1 Peter 5:7) . God is our refuge and strength, A help that is readily found in times of distress ( Psalm 46:1) . I know this will be of comfort to you during this difficult time.

- C.M.