July 17, 1961 – October 5, 2025
Mark Bryan Holder passed away at his home in Stuart, Virginia, on October 5, 2025. He came into the world at four pounds and eight ounces, but eventually grew large in personality and regard, well beyond his hometown of Greensboro, NC.
To most who read this, he will be remembered as Mark Holder, the Jeweller (spelled with two ls, because he favored the unexpected). To the rest of us, he was a father, a brother, a friend. And much more. In high school, Mark worked at Carlisle & Co. jewelry store, where he eventually decided to become a jeweller, persuading the Carolina Circle mall store to let him build a jeweller’s bench in the store’s bathroom. He was only 19. At 23, after graduating from UNC Greensboro, he opened Mark Holder, Jeweller, a fine jewelry store and repair shop in a quaint Greensboro shopping district called State Street Station. The store grew larger and larger, as did Mark’s reputation as one of the best custom jewellers in the Triad. Completely self-taught in every skill related to making and repairing jewelry, he also taught himself the watchmaker trade. He was a great teacher and generously passed his skills and knowledge on to anyone who cared to listen and learn.
As a businessman, he was charismatic, ambitious, and determined. He was remarkably successful from a very young age. Mark “retired” in 2014, selling his store on State St., and moving to Stuart, Virginia, where he continued to repair jewelry and watches for shops throughout North Carolina and Virginia. He also perfected his woodworking skills, lovingly building handcrafted masterpieces, mostly for family and friends. In retirement, Mark also built strong friendships with the kind and hardworking people of Stuart, Virginia, who embraced him in the best and worst of times. In 2024, they held his hand as he mourned the loss of his brother and best friend, George.
Who was Mark Holder to those of us who knew and loved him longest? He was smart, funny, complicated — and human. To us, he was not a diamond, but an emerald, saturated in color, frequently included, and oh so rare. We will miss his humor, his passion, and his beautiful dimples.
We will search for him in the eyes of his two sons and precious grandchildren, whom he loved so much. Mark is survived by his sons, Eli Holder (Amanda) and Max Holder (Clay Smalley), two grandchildren; his sisters, Cathy Cook (Tom) and Trish Holder (Mark Raines); and his many nieces and nephews. He is remembered by his loving companion, Nancy Liles, and his apprentice and friend, Travis Wade. Mark is preceded in death by his older sister and brother-in-law, Terry and Howard Johnson; his brother, George Holder; his mother, Loraine Holder; and his father, George Holder, Sr. They welcome him with ready arms.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 801 Duke Street (the Original Church), Greensboro. A celebration of life will also take place on Saturday, November 1 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Cafe Pasta & Grille, 305 State St, Greensboro.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Church World Service Greensboro at https://cwsgreensboro.org.
