Petula Holden was born on June 26, 1967 in Kilgore, Texas to Joseph Bush Sr. and Anna Santiago. She attended High School at St. Mary’s in Natchitoches, where she was a star basketball player and stellar student. After graduation, she attended Kilgore Community College on a basketball scholarship where she met the love of her life, Burtis Holden. They moved back to Natchitoches in 1986 where they settled in and started a family.

She graduated from Milan and Bolton Beauty School in 1988 which would soon begin her path to touch and bless the hair and hearts of her many beloved clients. Her clients adored her and she became so much more than their hair stylist. She became a friend, confidant, and showered her clients (and their children/grandchildren) with gifts on their birthdays and Christmas.

In 2009, she began working for Louisiana Technical College as a cosmetology instructor. She took so much pride in educating her future cosmetologists and cherished her faculty members so much. She taught for over 13 years and had the opportunity to witness the fruit of her labor with each graduating class. She made all of her students feel special, and many of them will attest that she was more like a mother to them.

She was a loyal member of the Kingdom Life Center where she served as the Church Administrator. You could find her doing anything from serving as an usher, coordinating church/community events, creating newsletters, helping plan church anniversary celebrations, volunteering in children’s church, and assisting with visitor hospitality.

She was a board member of the Natchitoches Parish Council on Aging, and also volunteered for several years at many of the local Nursing Homes, enhancing the residents’ quality of life by offering them a shampoo and set.

In 2018 she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer after a routine screening colonoscopy at the age of 51. She went into remission and made it her mission to spread the word to others about early detection and the importance of routine colonoscopy screening. In 2022, the cancer returned. Her faith however was unwavering and she continued to fight while continuing to pour into the lives of her family, her church family, her students, and her community.

On September 29, 2023 she transitioned from her earthly vessel to be with the Lord, and to join loved ones whom she sorely missed. She fought a long and hard battle with cancer but even on her most difficult days, she didn’t complain. She still wore that sweet contagious smile on her face and simply stated, “It is well with my soul.”

A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. Petula Holden was a phenomenal woman. She was an amazing Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cosmetology Instructor, Cosmetologist, and Community Advocate. Most importantly, Petula was a Woman of God and Servant Leader driven by her life purpose to intentionally love others through compassion, kindness, and empathy. Her positive outlook on life and charismatic spirit touched, impacted, and changed the lives of so many. Her presence will be greatly missed, but her legacy will live forever.

Petula was preceded in death by her Father, Joseph Bush Sr. who we all miss dearly; and her nephew Maverick White.

Those left to cherish precious memories include her Husband Burtis Holden; two children: Chris Holden, Christy Holden; Grandson: Victor Bardney; Mother: Anna Santiago (Wilfredo); Step-Mother: Toni Bush; Aunt: Loudester Howell; Siblings: Joseph Bush Jr. (Constance), Naroby Zorrilla (Travis), Naomi Bush; Nephews: Christopher Bush, Joseph Bush, Patrick Walker, Braylon Bush, Gabriel Bush, Ezra Zorrilla; Nieces: Jodie Bush (daughters Charlee, Kennedi), Cailah Bush; and a host of cousins, God children, and lifelong friends. 

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