Alvin Kenneth Holden Jr.

Alvin Kenneth Holden, Jr. transitioned from this Life on Sunday, July 6, 2025. He was born to Linnie Atkins and Alvin Kenneth Holden, Sr. at Lallie Kemp Medical Center- LSU- Independence, Louisiana. He was a welcomed addition after five girls. With pride he was named Alvin Kenneth Holden, Jr. and affectionately called AL by many.

Alvin received his religious/ spiritual foundation from lsrealite Baptist Church of Independence, Louisiana as a young child. He was baptized by Reverend E.M. Booker. One of Alvin's earliest church assignments was to help pull electrical wires through the building. Alvin had no skills or training, so he was brave, bold, and not afraid even then.

AL went to West Side Elementary School, Independence Boys' School, and he graduated from Amite High School. Alvin shared that this was a rough time filled with a great deal of social discord and Little time for studies. He said he spent most of that year fighting. However, somehow, he made up for what he missed, and it showed up all throughout his Life.

Like most teenaged boys, AL hung with a few wild, and crazy friends who all stayed on the right side of the Law. Alvin was fresh out of high school and enrolled in Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. However, AL slipped too close to the wrong side of Miss Linnie, his mother when he didn't keep curfew. He was Locked out of the house. That is when he decided to move into adulthood. The next day he met a recruiter, and he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was trained in Communications, and as a Military Police Officer.

Alvin came home from boot camp on Thursday, June 5, 1975. Alvin and Cheryl met that day, and the sparks fired in both of their hearts. They dated and he proposed. A short time Later, he was assigned to Okinawa, Japan. The Long Distance relationship ended, and they got married on August 12, 1978. The couple then decided to make Barstow their home.

In 1979 Alvin was ready to transition to the civilian world, so he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps as a Lance Corporal (LCpl). Alvin was also looking for work. He got a job at H&E Hardware Store after searching for only a few hours. Within the next thirty days he was hired at U.S. Borax Chemical Corporation in Boron, CA. That came to be his 2nd home for the next 36 years. In the meantime, they started their family.

They became proud parents of three children: Alvin Ill in 1980, Cherhonda in 1984, and LaTisha in 1989. While Alvin was busy working, providing for the family, he made time for college, the Masonic Order, and for hobbies.

Alvin graduated from Barstow Community College, Golden Gate University, and from The University of Redlands.

Al had many hobbies. Alvin played football and racket ball. He loved fishing in Louisiana, crawfishing in Bishop, California, grilling, cooking, planting vegetables, tilling the ground, making sausage, raising pigs, cutting wood, socializing, and playing with grandchildren. Cheryl thinks working in general was a hobby of his.

Along with cooking, Alvin's other great passion was sharing his cooking with others. I'll bet almost everyone in this room has eaten some of his cooking or had his home-grown crops from his garden. Alvin knew it was all by God's grace and mercy.

He loved and served the Lord diligently. He studied and he comprehended the bible better than many. He served as Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, he facilitated Bible Study, and he sang in the Men's Choir. Alvin was a Joint Board Member, and a Deacon at Union Missionary Baptist Church. He attended his home church- lsrealite whenever he was in town.

Alvin leaves to cherish his loving memories: his devoted wife, Cheryl L. Holden, his children Alvin K. Holden, Ill, Cherhonda D. Holden, LaTisha H. Palmer (Marcus), Siblings: Rose Williams, Brenda Bolden (Herbert), Althea Thompson (Willie), Carolyn Singleton, Debra Holden. Grandchildren: Zuriel J. Thomas, Nicolette J. Palmer, Norri M. Palmer, and Nehemiah M.P. Palmer, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless numbers of friends.

Alvin is preceded in death by his sister Annie H. Lewis and his parents Alvin K. Holden, Jr. and Linnie Holden.

Alvin's Life as a Mason

Alvin traveled through the Masonic order under Hiram of Tyre. He went from the 1st degree to the 33rd Degree. He served in many capacities, holding many stations, if not all stations in his forty-year span as a Mason. He was his lodge's instructor, secretary, and Master to name a few. He was so serious and dedicated to his craft that he gladly traveled 150 miles round trip to attend meetings several times a month.

Alvin held the Shriner Degree as well. He was a member of Golden Poppy Grand Chapter where he worked with Golden Star Chapter #33. There he served several positions. They included a Worthy Patron, Past Patron, as well as an officer in the upper houses.

We cherish all that Alvin brought to the Order and he will be sorely missed.

Alvin’s Favorites

Scripture: Ephesians – 6:11-18

Animal: Eagle

Colors: Tans and Browns

Food: Gravy and rice

Plants: Mustard Greens

Comedian: Jeff Foxworthy

Singers: Bill Withers, The Winans TV Shows: All Westerns

News Station: MSNBC

Movie: Harlem Nights

Mom and Dad’s Song “For the Love of You” by Isley Brothers 

Special Foods to cook: Sweet Potato Pie and Cornbread

Alvin’s Favorite Sayings

Get up and put your boots on (go to work)

Bye, bye box (coffin)

I don’t want to rust out. I want to wear out. If you understand me, then it’s effective communication “Brother teacher”

I’m gonna go catch these mules (Going to work) He called every little boy “rooster”

Bald mouth -when the kids lost their teeth

Remember who you are and whose you are

"You want yo cornbread?" from a scene in the movie "Life"

Madea's "Hellur!"