Charlotte Nidiffer Holden
February 11, 2020
Date of Service: February 18, 2020
Inurnment Location: Niche of Faith
On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, Charlotte Holden, loving mother, sister, and nurse, passed away at the age of 73 due to complications of pulmonary fibrosis.
Born Charlotte Sue Nidiffer in Elizabethton, TN on August 31, 1946, she graduated from Elizabethton High School and later obtained her LPN license. Charlotte married James Edward Peters of Carter County in 1967 and had one child, Michelle Lynne, who now resides in Burlington, Iowa. They later divorced and she would be married again to George Kenneth Holden of Johnson City. Charlotte and Ken divorced after 17 years and Charlotte would remain single until her death.
Ms. Holden served as an LPN for 46 yrs. having begun her Tennessee career in the ER of Carter County Memorial Hospital and ending it at NHC Healthcare in Johnson City. While employed at Carter County Memorial Hospital, she caused some controversy by being the first nurse to ever wear pants – an event that received publicity in the Elizabethton Star. At NHC, Charlotte was named Nurse of the Year. She was most proud of this award because she was honored by her peers. During her career, she also taught CNAs at Herman Robinson Technical School.
Charlotte would later move to Libertyville, Iowa where she would touch more lives while working at Jefferson County Health Center and Parkview Care Center both in Fairfield, Iowa.
She would return to Tennessee and live with her sister. They shared the same birthday only two years apart and loved each other as deeply as two sisters could. Many would tease them and say they seemed like an “old married couple”.
Charlotte’s two priorities were her daughter and caring for others. She enjoyed vacationing at the beach, gardening, and spending time with her family. She spent a great deal of time listening to music, reading, surfing the web, and keeping up with local, state, and national news events. She was quick to give a smile or laugh and loved conversation. For most of her life, she was “up for just about anything” and was truly the happiest when in the company of others. She loved animals and adored her grand dogs and they her.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her mother and father (Margaret and Tennie Nidiffer), two brothers (Bobby and Larry Nidiffer), and a sister (Francis “Suzie” Hartley).
She is survived by her daughter Michelle (Shannon) Stump of Iowa, one brother Tennie Nidiffer, Jr. of Elizabethton, two sisters – Betty (Rex) Simerly of Elizabethton and Kathryn Norris of Johnson City, and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Charlotte wished for memorials to be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (Attn: Donations, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105) or The Humane Society of Washington County (2101 W. Walnut, Johnson City, TN 37604).
Charlotte wished to be cremated and will be entombed in the Mausoleum of Faith at Happy Valley Memorial Park in Elizabethton. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 10:30 am at Tetrick Funeral Home in Elizabethton, TN. Following the service, the family will follow in procession to the cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Charlotte and her family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office 423-542-2232, service information line, 423-543-4917.
