Celebrating 28 Days of Black Excellence. Past and Present: Rev. Robert L. Holston

Throughout the month of February, The Courier Eco Latino honors Black History Month by spotlighting one local African American leader—past or present—each day. The series features trailblazers, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, advocates, and unsung heroes whose contributions have helped shape the soul, strength, and future of our community.

These are stories that may not always make headlines, but make a difference every day. From classrooms to boardrooms, from pulpits to protest lines, from small businesses to grassroots movements, each honoree reflects resilience, leadership, and service rooted right here at home.

The Rev. Robert Lee Holston, a lifelong Columbus resident, revered pastor and community leader whose ministry and civic work spanned more than five decades, is remembered as one of the city’s enduring Black historical icons.

Holston was born May 29, 1931, in Columbus to the late Rev. Oliver Lee Holston and Betsy Hutchins Holston. He died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, in Columbus at the age of 82.

Funeral services were held Nov. 4, 2013, at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church. Visitation took place at Nazareth Baptist Church, where Holston served as pastor for four decades.

A product of Muscogee County’s public schools, Holston graduated from Radcliff High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Valley State University in 1952. He later continued his studies at Albany State University and the Georgia Baptist Institute. That same year, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving honorably until 1955.

Holston answered the call to ministry in 1962, embarking on a pastoral journey that would leave an indelible mark across Georgia and Alabama. He served as pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Lato, Alabama, for 20 years before leading Nazareth Baptist Church in Columbus for 40 years. Under his leadership, Nazareth became both a spiritual anchor and a hub for community engagement in the Wynnton area, where Holston resided his entire life.

Beyond the pulpit, Holston’s influence extended into business and civic leadership. He was co-owner of Holston and Sons Construction Company and played a key role in developing Holston Acres, a single-family housing community that expanded homeownership opportunities for local families. He also served as president of the Cement Finishers and Plaster Association, demonstrating a commitment to economic empowerment and skilled trades.

Holston’s service reached state and national platforms. He served as Music Director for the National Baptist Convention and was an associate pastor and advocate with Church Twinning International Inc. in Decatur, Georgia. His contributions to faith-based leadership and civil rights advocacy earned him numerous honors, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Award presented in 2003 by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Iota Lambda Chapter. He was also recognized by the DeBouch Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association, Operation PUSH, the A.J. McClung YMCA and the Urban League of Greater Columbus.

Family remained central to Holston’s life. He was married for 40 years to the late Marian Williams Holston. Their union was blessed with four children: Beverly Ann, Robert Vann, Audrey Renee and Marian Laverne.

Those who knew Holston describe him as a steady, faith-driven leader whose life reflected both spiritual conviction and practical action. Whether guiding a congregation, mentoring young ministers, building homes or advocating for unity, he worked quietly but persistently to strengthen the fabric of Columbus’ Black community.

More than a pastor, Rev. Robert Lee Holston was a bridge builder — between generations, between churches and between faith and community. His legacy endures in the congregations he shepherded, the neighborhoods he helped build and the countless lives shaped by his ministry.