07/13/2026
Hey Holties, with the heaviest of hearts I tell you that our favorite fella in the world has passed.
The Holt in Holt’s Jewell, my PawPaw Holt, the one and only Holt Beaver, not only gave me the love I have for gardening, canning, and preserving but also so many other gifts.
He was a man of many magics; teaching, encouraging, sharing, building nearly anything, he put much thought into everything that meant anything to him. I couldn’t tell you how many people I’ve met over the years that told me “Your PawPaw was the first to paddle me in school!” Followed by “I love him, he really is a great man!” Which confused me in my youth but I think the gist is that he was tough but he cared and was very respected.
I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to be in South Carolina since the end of school and got to be a part of his care team the last few weeks of his life. We talked a lot in those weeks, shared a lot, he told me it was an honor to have “the business” named after him and said he never knew all the time we spent in the garden and canning meant so much, he thought we were just “ya know, stringing beans, and hanging out”.
He reminded me to keep teaching others to can and keep sharing what he taught me, and keep having fun while doing it.
His last words to me were “love you too”…I have never known anything more.
Though I am missing him in life I am finding peace in keeping his spirit alive and following one of my families favorite phrases “WWHBD”❤️
I’m still in South Carolina in preparation for his funeral and celebration of life and focusing on what would make him happy here on the Beaver Farm but I am thinking of you all and remembering the Holt in Holt’s Jewell ✨
