Obituaries

Rev. Ronald L. Holder, 76, passed away peacefully at home on January 1, 2026 in Bagdad, KY. Services will be Saturday, January 10, 2026 beginning with visitation at 9 am and funeral service to follow at 11 am at Clay Street Baptist Church, 1940 Midland Trail, Shelbyville, KY. Interment will be in Green Meadows Cemetery.

Ronald attended Louisville Public School. He is a graduate of Simmons University Bible College where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology. He attended Kentucky State University and Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He is the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Simmons Bible College.

He accepted Christ as his personal savior, baptized and accepted his call into the gospel ministry. Ronald was licensed and ordained under the pastorate of Rev. Dr Thurman Coleman Sr. at the First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown, Kentucky. Rev. Holder was called to Clay Street Baptist Church in 1977. In a few years he led his congregation in the building of a new worship center, educational and fellowship hall facility. In eight years the twenty-year mortgage was paid off in full. He was active in The General Association and Central District. He was a member of the Shelbyville Ministerial Coalition and President of many groups in the Church.

Ronald leaves to cherish his memories a loving devoted wife Ronesa Holder; three sons, Ronald Holder Jr., Aaron Holder, and Ronyale Holder; five stepdaughters, Edra Coleman, Andrea Coleman (Aundrea Coleman) Amber Coleman, and Brittany Taylor; siblings, The late Donald Lee Holder (Terri Holder), Alona Pack, Judy Hampton, (James T. Fogg), Timothy Holder, James A. Curry, Pamela Jordan, Debra Bass (Elijah Sr.); 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents Guy and Carrie; and twin brother Donald.