Angela Morrow Holden

With broken hearts, but endless love, we share that Angela Morrow Holden passed away peacefully at home on August 16th, 2025, surrounded by family following her courageous battle with cancer. During her battle she showed her toughness, never complaining of pain or lamenting her situation. Strong, smart and tough woman. She continued to the end exhibiting her selflessness and dedication to her family and friends. She was the brightest soul, so full of life, laughter, and had the fiercest love for those close to her.

Angela Morrow Holden was born on Mother’s Day - May 10, 1970, to Joyce and Preston Morrow, and grew up in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from the renowned Dallas Greenhill School. From an early age Angela showed her competitiveness and high aptitude. From her competition (at eleven years of age) on the show “That’s Incredible” where she raced to solve the now infamous Rubiks Cube, to her winning backgammon versus accomplished adult friends of her father. She also loved playing Dominoes and Gin with her Grandma Lillian.
Angela showed a passion for the theater, and she loved the stage, performing in Lower School through college. Angela was an accomplished Soprano and Pianist and was a novice on the Violin. She sang in her church junior choir & was a proud member of the recognized Greenhill Singers. She was equally at home in academics, excelling in math and languages, a real brainiac. She joined the Corps of Cadets during her Freshman year at Texas A&M in Galveston, until she found out about swabbing the deck. She was so full of life and had a smile that would brighten the darkest room.

After earning degrees in Spanish and English from Stephen F. Austin State University, and meeting her future husband, she made the Houston area her home in 1993.

In the fall of 1994, Angela Morrow graced Derek Holden with her hand in marriage at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Dallas. Derek had clearly out kicked his coverage with Angela and was so fortunate to have found such an intelligent, beautiful, funny, sarcastic and trustworthy wife for 30+ wonderful years. A long time yet it feels so short now, thankfully with many fabulous and irreplaceable memories.

Throughout the 90’s, Angela and Derek built the most wonderful friendships, so fortunate and blessed to have had that decade of growth and exploration. Professionally, Angela worked in sales and management positions. Her true love and talent was photography, first introduced by her father. She loved working with families and especially kids. Her specialty shots were closeups, under late afternoon outdoor lighting, enabling her to capture true expressions and personalities. She was also on the front end of offering photo cards for family events and holidays. A true talent capturing memories to stand the test of time: (https://www.angelaholdenphotography.com)

Angela also had a passion for swimming competitively, which she instilled in her daughters. She was a huge supporter of her daughters’ Sugar Land Sharks swim team, where she was a board member. One could always count on Angela to show up early and stay late at swim meets, with scorching south Texas summers not slowing her down. She was an ardent cheerleader and could always be heard cheering for everyone, but extra LOUD and proud for her two girls. The same holds true for dance, volleyball, FFA or any activities related to her daughters. Angela also was her nephew’s and niece’s biggest cheerleader.

Family was paramount for Angela, the reason for her being. She was a spectacular daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend.

After the blessings of the births of her two girls at the turn of the millennium, everything she did was in selfless support of her daughters and her people. She was a protector, defender and a Mama Bear you didn’t wish to cross, who was also fiercely protective of all her loved ones. You could always trust and count on Angela.

Angela taught us the true meaning of love and selflessness, following the example of Jesus, her Lord and Savior. She will always be remembered for her quick wit and humor. Ange (as she is known by her friends) brought a beautiful light to the world and even after her sunset, her afterglow remains. It is often a sad case that those who shine brightest can burn the fastest. She is missed greatly every day.

Angela is survived by her husband Derek, daughters Zoë Taylor and Penelope Mae Holden, her parents, Joyce and Preston Morrow, sister and best friend Molly and her husband Rob Kohler, nephews Walker, Ikey and Reagon Kohler, mother-in-law Barbara Norris, sister/brother-in-law Julie and Dave Angle, nephew Andy Angle and niece Alex Angle, sister/brother-in-law Kathy & Dallas Hardcastle, niece Adrianne Robinson, brother/sister-in-law Pat & Michelle Holden, nephew’s Justin and Jeremy Holden, brother/sister-in-law Chris and Michelle Holden, niece Megan Cupit and nephew Christopher Holden, along with family and friends too numerous to list.

We invite family and friends whose lives were touched by Ange to attend a celebration of her life on November 22, 2025. The church service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany (9600 South Gessner, Houston, TX 77071) beginning at 10am, followed afterwards with a celebratory family picnic at 1pm with food, drink and music provided at Duhacsek Park (17034 Old Richmond Road, Sugar Land, TX 77498).

In lieu of flowers please remember Angela with your favorite charity or the music program of Epiphany Episcopal Church.