Holloway Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. | Durham, NC

Obituary For Valor Mae Holeman Mack

Mrs. Valor Mae Holeman Mack, 75, was born on Sunday, December 23, 1945 and departed this life on Thursday, November 25, 2021. Obituary

Valor Mae Holeman Mack was born to the late Willie Stroud Holeman and Lizzie Long Holeman on December 23, 1945. She departed this earthly life to be with her Heavenly Father on November 25, 2021. She was raised by her grandmother, Valor Lyons Parker and great uncle, Maynard Lyons, in Bahama, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her Mother, Lizzie Long Holeman; Father, Willie Stroud Holeman; Her only son, Douglas Lamont Mack; Brothers: Lewis Holeman and William Stroud Foster; Sisters: Ella Jane Holeman Moore, Mary Ann Hawley, Barbara Nelson, Brenda Sue Foster, Sherry Whitley, and Godson, Domanic Everette. She was a member of Cain’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and always loved to worship at her home church, Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Valor sang in the Senior Choir and was a member of Pastor’s Aide, Missionary Circle, and Durham County Inmate Ministry until her health declined. In her earlier years, she worked with Youth Ministry.

Valor graduated from Little River High School in 1964. She worked at Duke OB-GYN and Blue Cross Blue Shield for over 15 years while she raised her children and worked toward her degrees. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Master of Arts degree in Counseling Education from North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina.

After completing her degrees, she embarked upon a midlife career in counseling. Obtaining her first guidance counselor job for Granville County Schools at Credle Elementary in Oxford, North Carolina. She later worked for Durham Public Schools at Rogers Herr Middle School and Carrington Middle School. She was extremely successful in her career - writing and presenting the IMPAC Grant for Minority Parents of At-Risk Children; Counselor of the Year for Granville County Schools; and Teacher Counselor for Raising America’s Children Grant. She was faithful and loyal to the career she loved and the students and families she impacted along the way.

In anticipation of her first grandchild, Valor quit her career in counseling and opened a Five Star Daycare in Durham, North Carolina in 1998. As Owner and Operator of Kids’ Discovery Daycare, she was able to spend quality time with her grandchild and serve as a beacon of light and joy to many young children until her health declined. Over the years, she took numerous classes at Durham Technical Community College in Early Childhood Development.

Valor was a selfless woman of God. She believed in serving her community and others. She served on the Orange County Commission for Women and Orange County Human Services Commission. She assisted with chartering a Durham 4-H club and served as a leader for over 10 years. She was a foster care mother for over 10 years and a volunteer at Pathways Elementary School. Also, she was a volunteer and intern for Orange County Schools. Valor was instrumental in researching and organizing the history of the Historic Russell School and ensuring its placement in the National Registry of Historic Places. She was an inaugural board member of the Friends of Russell Rosenwald School and served actively until her death. She was committed to the preservation of Durham’s last remaining Rosenwald School and had recently contributed a donation for a handicap ramp to ensure that the school was accessible to everyone for their enjoyment. When she was physically able, Valor enjoyed working in the yard. While passing time in dialysis, she assumed a love for quilting. She loved displaying her quilts and sharing her passion with others. Valor had a devoted love for family and friends. She loved researching family history. She collected a pictorial family tree for the Adolphus Mack family, and she entered data for the Lyons family tree for family members to preserve and even memorialized the history in a family quilt.

Valor enjoyed going to Duke OB-GYN reunions and fellowshipping with Norfolk-Southern Railroad Retired Group for breakfast on the 2nd Friday of each month. She instilled the love of traveling in her children by traveling extensively across the world with gratitude to God’s marvelous work, particularly mountains and beaches. She also enjoyed taking the children and nieces and nephews to Lake Royale when they were young.

She courageously fought chronic illness for many years. However, her love and praise for God never waned. She prayed incessantly, was strengthened by spiritual growth, and had strong faith and trust in the Lord until her dying day. Valor was thankful for the unspeakable joy and delight brought to her life by her children and grandchildren. God gave her a blessing of knowing and loving a godchild, Domanic “Nick” Everette. Left to mourn her loss and cherish her memory are her loving and devoted husband of 53 years, Adolphus Douglas Mack, daughters Phyllis Ann Mack Horton and Kristie Michelle Mack White; grandchildren: Phillip Michael Horton, Brandon Xavier Horton, Cameron Bryson Reams, and Jessyka Johanna White (all of the homestead); sisters: Beverly Holeman (Lithonia, Georgia), Gloria Foster (Hampton, VA), Patricia Foster (Washington, DC), Willie Mae Foster (Durham, NC), Diane Foster (Durham, NC); aunts: Myrtle Long (Durham, NC) and Mary Parker (Durham, NC); god grandson Nicholas Everette (Charlotte, NC), brother ‘n law: Arthur Moore (Durham, NC), nephews, nieces, and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held at New Red Mountain Missionary Baptist Church, 1401 Red Mountain Rd, Rougemont, NC, on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 12:00 noon, visitation from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Burial will be held at Cain's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive visitors at 6918 Saint Mary's Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278.

Masks are to be worn and social distancing required at all meetings with family, friends and services.

All acts of kindness are appreciated during this difficult time.

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Guest Book

I send to you my deepest sympathy and great appreciation for Valor's presence in my life. Her kind spirit and devotion to her children and the children of others served as a great example for many of us. Sincerely, Cheryl LeMay (Lloyd) Emeritus County Extension Director

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Phyllis and Family: My thought and prayers are with you. Diane Cox

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Douglas we give our condolences and prayers to the family.We will miss Valor RIP #Julia & Linda

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Douglas, you and family are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. We know Mrs. Valor Mack was wonderful to work with. Terry A Williams Terry A Williams Accountants Inc

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Aunt May, I'm sorry to hear that you have been called back home to be with God and other Family and friends in Heaven. I know you lived an amazing life here and I was blessed to have you as family. I pray for those here still mourning and to Uncle Douglas as well. May god comfort is all and give strength. -Kindal

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Sending love and prayers to the entire Mack family. I pray God brings comfort during this time. Love, Brandy Jones

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Aunt Mae ❤️ I love you forever and always. Thank you for the love you've shared with us. You can now reunite with Grandma Ella Jane, rest in heaven. 🙏🏾

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Sending my love and condolence to my Aunt Valor Mae family and friends.She will be truly missed. God has you in his arms...Thank you for all the love you shared with us...

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To my family, I was lost for words to hear that Aunt Valor Mae has left us...This was a hard one to swallow.I will truly missed her...Her

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Sending my whole hearted condolences to the entire family who is still my family! She was a very important and loved person in the Holeman family and I mourn with you. "Aunt Mae" will be missed but is now with "Ella Jane" and "Mary Ann" ... she's in a good peaceful place. Love you all Crystal ❤️

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My deepest Condolences and prayers to the family. Juanita Tyler Anderson

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Douglas, just know that you are in my thoughts in a special way today. I will be praying for God's peace, strength and comfort for you and your family. Saundra Parker

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May God's unconditional grace, mercy, and love strengthen you during this time of loss. Absence of the body means Mrs. Mack us in the presence of our Heavenly Father. PEACE & BLESSINGS be yours today and always! 💞

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Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Just lean on the Lord for strength. The Cameron and Hilliard Family.

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Douglas, I am thinking of you in a special way now. Please know that Valor is being received by God and welcomed in to eternal life. And as you deal with the loss of her, I will be praying for your strength and God's surrounding love of you and your family. Betina

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To Douglas and the entire family, may you find peace in knowing that Valor Mae is free of all health challenges. Praying for you in the days ahead. RIP Shirley Turrentine-Cole

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Sending heartfelt condolences to the family of Sister Valor. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We want you to know we share in your sorrow. Absent in the body is to be present with the Lord. ❤️🙏🏾 James & Shinnette

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What a life well lived! Mrs. Mack was a spirit of excellence, which was exhibited by how her family and friends revered her. When Phyllis and I met at the age of 16, Mrs. Mack welcomed me as though I was one of her own - always loving and supportive of me and my family. She will be missed by all who knew her. May God comfort and strengthen the family in the days ahead. Shawna McKinnon & Family

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Too the Mack Family: I am sorry for the loss of your Mother. Val and I worked together at Duke South on the Ob/Gyn Floor. She was a very sweet person to work with. Earth has no sorrow that God cannot heal. Brenda Boyd

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Sending Love and comfort. May God's comfort be all around your hearts God bless each of you. Sallie & Glenda

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I am sorry to hear about Valor's transition but know that God knows best. May God continue to bless this family. Cousin David

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Sending love and comfort during your time of need. Necie

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Praying God's Strength, care, and love will comfort you during this time of sorrow. Margie Riley

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Holloway Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. | Durham, NC