Beverly Ann Holton, age 71, passed away September 22, 2026, after a short illness. She was born in Fernandina Beach, FL on September 11,1955, to the late Henry Billy Gilliard, Sr. and Ovida Nettles Gilliard. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Rod Holton, Sr; son, Raymond Rod Holton, Jr.; brothers, Henry Billy, Jr., Doc, and Earl Gilliard; sister, Mary Griffin.

She is survived by her daughter, Julie Holton; son, Wesley Gilliard (Denise); brothers, Bobby and Jimmy Gilliard (Sarah); sisters, Glenda Mize (Tommy) and Lou Bradt (Everett); grandchildren, Amber Morris, Summer Gilliard, Zachery Holton, Sarah Murray, Hadley Merritt; great grandchildren, Haven Joyce, Henlee Burkett, Bran Morris, Maddox Morris, and Ellie Ann Morris.

Our circles are forever broken because God called you home. He stopped your pain and suffering and replaced it with a smile. God’s fingers touched her, and she slipped away from earth’s dark shadows to a bright day. Time has a way of healing, and the hurt gets less as time goes by. It’s just the hours of loneliness that sometimes makes us cry. Loving memories keep you near us, and take us back in time, precious golden moments that live forever in our minds. So mother, in your memory we’ll try hard in every way to live life as you taught us until we meet you some sweet day.

Funeral services will be held Friday September 25, 2026, in the chapel of Crosby Funeral Home at 2 PM with Johnny Hersey and Gene Tanner officiating, and eulogy given by Glenn Tanner. Interment will follow at Hall Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thursday night from 6-9 PM.

Active pallbearers include Mike Carter, Ronnie Burch, Jamie Merritt, Stacy Starnes, Tom Meeks, and Jeff Bayard. Honorary pallbearers include Debra Burch, Donna Bayard, Pat Rigby, Nicole Rigby, Leon Gray, Michael and Judy Anderson, Houston Trowell, Brittany Anderson, Cynthia Merritt, City of Nicholls employees and the Nicholls City Council.