In recognition of her 100th birthday, Atlanta native Lenda Grace DeBardelaben Holloway enjoyed many special moments – a drop-in party, complete with her favorite chili dogs and fried pies from the Varsity, as well as numerous other honors from around Atlanta and the United States. Her daughters, LaRee and Laynne, documented her extraordinary life.
Lenda Grace DeBardelaben, who celebrated her 100th birthday on October 6, entered the world on October 6, 1925, at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta. Her family resided in Smyrna in two different homes until they moved to the Virginia Highlands area of Atlanta after her graduation from high school.
She later moved to the Peachtree Battle area as a newlywed, then to Decatur, where she raised her family in two different homes. After her husband’s passing, she moved to Peachtree Corners, where she still lives independently today. In short, she has lived in and around Atlanta her entire 100 years!
Early days
Lenda began her education in the first grade at the Locust Grove School, which was later re-named Fitzhugh Lee School. She attended there until her graduation in 1942. There were 28 students in her class, 14 boys and 14 girls.
Two of the students, Lenda and Paul Wright, were born on the same day, went through school together, and they remain friends today. They organized an 80-year high school reunion in 2022, with the two of them and their families in attendance. Lenda played basketball on her school team as a guard (her favorite memory), was a member of the X-Club (an honor society) and worked on the annual staff. One of their classmates, Bob Reese, later became principal of Fitzhugh Lee School.
The University of Georgia welcomed Lenda on campus in Athens. While at UGA, Lenda took flying lessons. The only time she was ever in trouble was when she took a flying lesson, traveling to Winder, then Atlanta, then back to Athens. Her house mother at the Baptist Student Union House “campused” her for going out of town without signing out.
Later, she attended The University of Georgia – Atlanta Division (now Georgia State University). When she was nearing enough credits to graduate, she met with a counselor to determine her major. She had the most credits in psychology, so she declared that as her major and took the requisite classes to earn her degree, graduating in 1955. Both LaRee and Laynne followed in their mom’s footsteps and graduated from UGA.
Family roots run deep in Atlanta
Her parents were Grace Latham and Eugene Holmes DeBardelaben, Sr. They were both employed by the Southern Railroad, which is where they met. Lenda had one brother, Eugene Holmes DeBardelaben, Jr. He was her best friend. They enjoyed many fun times together, including shooting each other with bb guns (wearing protective clothing). Lenda, Eugene and their cousin, Julian, spent many days together. Their pursuits included going to countless movies and snake hunting. Lenda became fast friends with Faye Mabry while working in the gym at college. Faye joined their gang, and later married Eugene. Eugene passed away at the age of 42.
Lenda met Lee Lenward Holloway at Druid Hills Baptist Church (DHBC) after Lee’s family transferred to Atlanta in the late 1940’s. Lenda was first introduced to Lee as “Lenda, the Barber Lady,” a takeoff on her name, DeBardelaben. It was some time before Lee realized this – he thought she was really a lady barber!
Lenda and Lee courted in Atlanta. One of their favorite hangouts was The Varsity, still one of her very favorite places to eat! They were married on February 19, 1950, at DHBC. It was a Sunday, the 50th day of the year in 1950. They had been married for 65 years at the time of Lee’s passing in 2015 at the age of 91.
The family grows with marriages and births
Lenda and Lee welcomed two daughters into their lives, LaRee in 1959 (married to John Hudson) and then Laynne in 1962. Like their mom, both girls were born at Crawford Long Hospital. Wanting the best for her daughters, she was a stay-at-home mom during their younger years.
She knew how to sew and would create beautiful dresses for them, some with hand-smocking. Lenda was always involved in her girls’ education, including being a room mother in their classes for many years. She was there for almost every party and every special occasion.
She taught ceramics to entire classes of elementary students. As co-president of the Parent-Teacher Association with Lee, she spearheaded the remodel of the principal’s office. She met with the superintendent of the county school system multiple times – sometimes to right perceived wrongs and other times to heap praise on the school administration.
She was a Girl Scout leader and a cheerleader in every situation. Her Girl Scout troop met then-Gov. Jimmy Carter. They “camped” in lodges, but never tents, and they learned how to make a campfire by watching Mr. Holloway.
In 1998, Lenda and Lee’s first grandson was born, Mason Lee Montalvo. Mason quickly became the light of their life. The three of them were a tight-knit bunch. Mason spent much of his childhood at his grandparents’ home, truly his happy place.
He turned over for the first time in his crib at their house. He learned to crawl on the dining room table on Easter Sunday at their house. He had a bedroom there, but preferred the basement with his Granddad’s tools and his Grandmom’s ceramics.
He knew what was in every nook and cranny of “2856.” He even learned how to use power tools in the shop there. He enjoyed their neighborhood pool and made friends with the neighbors. And all three of them had Stone Mountain passes so he could experience the ducks, ride the skyride, and play in the Ball Barn.
Mason married his high school sweetheart, Reagan. They have two children, Thomas Lee Montalvo and Hazel Blyth Montalvo, who are the light of Grandmom’s world. She spends as much time with them as possible. And she sends little “surcies” (surprises) to them every week, always reminding them of her love.
Grandmom frequently reminds Mason that he is her favorite grandson. And they always tell each other, “I love you the most!”
Lenda’s long career
In 1946, Lenda accepted a job at the Traveler’s Aid Society, where she met Sara Ann. Sara Ann and her husband, John, became lifelong friends of Lenda and Lee. They were known as “Aunt and Uncle” to each other’s children.
Lenda later went to work for General Electric in the Accounting Department. She always worked on New Years Day to close the books quickly for the prior year. After her daughters were born, she was a stay-at-home mom, later returning part-time to GE.
In 1972, Lee and Lenda purchased a variety store, Wayne’s, in Fayetteville, GA. Lenda managed the store, while Lee worked at Lockheed. She did all the buying, utilizing the family station wagon as a van to haul merchandise from Fulton Industrial Blvd. and other locations to Fayetteville. Her daughters learned much about running a business, including payroll, cashiering, customer service, stocking shelves, taking inventory and cutting fabric.
In 1977, road construction forced the closing of the store, and Lenda then went to work for Equitable Life Assurance Society. She again worked in Accounting in the Property Management Division. She retired from Equitable on January 1, 1990. She still maintains close contact with co-workers and is an active member of the ELA Retiree Club.
Church connections
Lenda and her brother, Eugene, attended Locust Grove Baptist Church with their mother when they were children. After their mom passed away when they were 16 and 17 years old, and the family moved to the Virginia Highlands area, Lenda began attending Druid Hills Baptist Church. She was baptized at DHBC in 1942 at 16 years old. In all those years, she never missed a Sunday until the birth of her first child, who arrived on a Saturday, making Sunday attendance difficult. Lenda and Lee were very involved in the life of DHBC. Lenda was a member of the Evergreen Class and the Newton Class, among others.
As a couple, Lee and Lenda served in many capacities, always supportive and working hard behind the scenes. They invested in the youth there, working tireless hours, raising funds for the youth choir to travel across the eastern United States, Canada and Italy. They helped prepare many spaghetti dinners and a cherished cookbook. Lenda served on the personnel committee and as a building trustee. She had the keys to every lock and was known to climb to the top of the cupola.
Late in Lee’s life, Lenda and Lee became members of Oak Grove Methodist Church, and, later, Lenda transferred her membership to Johns Creek Baptist Church, where she is currently a member. She often uses her iPad to attend services online.
Talents and interests
Lenda Holloway is a multi-faceted woman. She has many interests and talents. Early in their marriage, Lenda and Lee were members of the Dahlia Society. They grew and showcased beautiful Dahlias. Through the years, they had an annual vegetable garden, growing squash, peppers and tomatoes. Lenda has always had a green thumb. She continues to garden today, growing tomatoes and flowers on her porch. Neighbors are frequently seen stopping to marvel at and comment on her coleus, ferns and geraniums, then counting the tomatoes on her vines.
Lenda took flying lessons with her friend, Lorene Pinson (later the maid of honor at Lenda’s wedding). They flew out of Chandler Field in a plane they rented. Lenda was eligible to become a licensed pilot, but did not have funds to pay for the license. She piloted a Piper Cub airplane. She volunteered as a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol, and she was a civilian volunteer War Warden. As a War Warden, she actually had power of arrest!
When Lenda learned how to create ceramics at DHBC, she went all in. She and Lee purchased many molds and a kiln and set up shop in their home. She made many beautiful treasures that the family still enjoys, including christmas trees, Santa, Christmas balls, lamps, roosters, dishes and figurines. She hosted ceramic classes in the basement at “2856” for neighbors, friends and even the girls’ teachers. She is a legend in Country Squire Neighborhood to this day!
Lenda has the gift of hospitality. Through the years, she has hosted hundreds of family members, friends and even strangers in her home. Some of them came for a meal, some for the night, and some for months as they transitioned into a job or a new home.
Sports connections
Lenda’s father was an avid baseball fan, and he hosted barbeques for the Atlanta Crackers Baseball Team. When the Braves moved to town in 1966, he began following the Braves, watching as many games as he possibly could. Lenda followed in her father’s footsteps and has been a huge Braves fan, as well.
For her 99th birthday, she and family members enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of Truist Park, where Lenda regaled the tour guide and the family with Braves’ stories through the years. In recognition of her 100th birthday, her family placed a brick in The Battery at Truist Park with the inscription, “Lenda D. Holloway, Atlanta Braves Centenarian.”
Lenda could be considered the Georgia Bulldog fan of the century. She and Lee had season tickets for many years, enjoying Bulldog victories and tailgating with friends and family on North Campus in Athens. She continues to have watch parties in her home, never missing a game.
More memories
Growing up, the DeBardelabens had a male hunting dog named Jack. After Jack was gone, they had another dog, but this one was female. They also named her Jack!
Lenda learned to drive in a Model A Ford. It had to be hand-cranked.
Lenda has always enjoyed The Varsity. As a young woman, she would go with her brother and friends. Women were not allowed inside, so they would pull into the drive-through, where they would often chat with the famous servers, Flossie Mae and Rutherford.
In the early 2000’s, the Holloways remodeled their kitchen. The flooring had been removed, and the subflooring plywood was visible. Each family member grabbed a Sharpie Marker and began writing on the subflooring the names of all those family members and friends who had been guests in their home. Hundreds of names were scattered about the floor, reminiscent of many good times, and evidence of Lenda and Lee’s hospitality.
Lenda has always enjoyed an organized, clean environment. She was known to sprinkle washing powder on the carport and then scrub it until it sparkled. One neighbor dubbed her as “Mrs. Clean.”
When they were a young married couple, friends Sara Ann and John moved into a new home right after Sara Ann had been in the hospital. She required around-the-clock care. A helper was hired, a woman who tended to sit and watch. When Lenda walked in and saw the move-in chaos, she put the helper to work. The next day, the woman saw Lenda arriving and sighed, “Here comes that cleaning fool!”
Lenda’s 100th year celebration
Along with her party, celebrations for Lenda included:
• a flag flown over the United States Capitol in her honor on Oct. 6, 2025;
• a Good Citizen Award from both the Georgia House and the Georgia Senate;
• a proclamation in her honor from Mike Mason, the mayor of Peachtree Corners;
• birthday greetings from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, U.S. President Donald Trump, the Atlanta Braves, and the Georgia Bulldogs.
Lenda is a beautiful, strong, independent Christian woman who loves deeply and leads quietly by example. Her greatest joy is found in spending time with her extended family, and she especially treasures the moments she gets to share with Thomas and Hazel.
Happy 100th Birthday to the best Precious Angel, Sweetheart, Mother, Mama, Grandmom, Aunt, Co-Worker and Friend! May you be blessed beyond measure on this day and in the days to come!
