Kenneth Lott Holton

Kenneth Lott Holton of High Springs died peacefully Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 19, 2014, in the ICU at North Florida Regional after complications as a result of H1N1 and pneumonia. He was 58.

Kenneth Holton, affectionately known as Ken and Kenny, was born Dec. 16, 1955 in Starke, Fla., the youngest of five children. He was adopted and raised by Lott and Elvy Holton of High Springs.

Kenneth graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1973, where he led the Raider Regiment as Drum Major, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Florida. Music was his passion. He played any instrument he picked up but was most likely to be spotted behind a piano. Last week, wife Nanette said of Kenneth, “The first time I met him, he was sitting on a piano bench, I was only in the eighth grade and told our piano teacher that I was going to marry that handsome boy one day. I’ve been with the handsome man now for 41 years and he still makes me fall in love with him every time he sits down and plays the piano.”

Kenneth was called to ministry at a young age and served at many churches in the area including Forest Grove Baptist of Alachua, North Central Baptist of Gainesville, and most recently Gateway Baptist of Lake City, where he led his final earthly congregation in worship. If he wasn’t tuning a piano or leading a choir, he was probably underneath the hood of a car. He is remembered as a sweet man of utmost kindness, generosity, and servitude, an example and friend to many, and a maker of music and love.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his father, Bernice Lott Holton, and mother, Elvy Booth Holton; survived by his wife, Nanette E. Peacock Holton; three children Kendra Helton (Jonathan) of Chicago, Kena Little (Michael) of Jacksonville, and Kenneth Lott Holton II of High Springs.

Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 21 at First Baptist High Springs, 20112 US Hwy 441, from 6 – 8 p.m. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at First Baptist High Springs; doors will open one hour prior. Interment will follow. Flowers are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kenneth Holton Memorial Fund, 25048 NW 182^nd Ave., High Springs, FL 32643.

Arrangements by Evans Carter Funeral Home 386-454-2444.