Weston Independent
Cancer Fund As Rush Holt Memorial
February 16, 1955
Mrs. Helen Holt, widow of the late Senator Rush D. Holt, is establishing a state cancer fund as a memorial to her husband. She said it would fulfill a wish of the Weston political leader, who suggested that the fund be used to assist West Virginia cancer victims.
Ross Edwards, announcer in the Charleston area, is receiving contributions in southern West Virginia. Here they are being accepted at the Independent office. A trust to administer the fund will be created.
Last rites were conducted here Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the First Methodist church of which he was a member. Some 600 persons braved the worst winter day of the season to attend. Dr. W. S. Overstreet, Methodist district superintendent, the church pastor, Rev. U. E. Wills and the Rev. Floyd J. Waldrop, lifetime friend of the Holts, conducted the services. Burial was in Machpelah.
The House of Delegates adjourned for the day as a tribute to the departed member. The House designated Martin Bowles, J. Hornor Davis II and James Loop, Democrats, and Spencer Creel of Parkersburg and Cecil Underwood, Republicans as House representatives at the rites. Senate representative was Senator Raymond J. Vassar. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Legislature and former members who served with him.
He died at 2:45 last Tuesday in Bethesda, Maryland, from cancer following a long illness. His health had been such that he was unable to attend the sessions of the legislature as the delegate from Lewis - his seventh term in the House.
The vacancy in the House will be filled by apponitment [sic] by the governor, William C. Marland. All members of the Holt family except Charles Holt, a brother, of Chicago, were present for the funeral. Friday was a terrible day, keeping hundreds away from the funeral. The previous day the Sweeney & Toothman Funeral Home was crowded all day long and late at night by friends and others who came to pay their respects to the Weston man who had been in public life most of his 49 years.