Isabelle Daniels Holston was the last of nine siblings who nicknamed her “Tweety” for her high-pitched crying as an infant. Her father grew peanuts, cotton, and corn on his farm, but he also drove a school bus. At age 16, while beginning training for the prestigious Tuskegee (Alabama) Relays, Isabelle ran the 13 miles from home to school every day alongside her dad’s bus.
With sacrifice and determination, Isabelle earned a track scholarship to Tennessee State University with Coach Edward Temple. While at TSU she won several national and international awards including a Bronze Medal in the 4×100 meter relay in the 1956 Olympic Games, and awards at the 1955 and 1959 Pan American Games and the Goodwill Tours. She was the first TSU Tigerbelle in history to qualify for the Olympic 100 meters and placed fourth in the finals of that event in the 1956 Olympic Games. While at TSU she ran alongside her teammate, Wilma Rudolph, and a host of other legendary Tigerbelles.
As a Physical Education teacher and girls’ track and basketball coach for 37 years in DeKalb County, Ga., Isabelle made outstanding accomplishments. Her track team won seven county titles, ten regional titles, and four state titles during her coaching career.
In 1982-83, Isabelle was named Coach of the Year by the Georgia Athletic Coach’s Association. She was also awarded Region III National Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coach’s Association in 1983, 1985, and 1990. In 1992, she was honored as the All-Star Role Model during a Georgia High School All Star Basketball game. Within the same year, Isabelle was added to the Coaches Care Honor Roll by the Gatorade Company.
In 1983, Isabelle was inducted into the Tennessee State University Hall of Fame, and in 1987 to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. On May 27, 1995, she received the “Key to the City” in her hometown of Jakin, Ga.; and in 1996 she carried the Olympic Torch with her other TSU teammates in Atlanta, Ga.
At age 77, she was still participating in various county, state and National Senior Games where she threw the shot put, discus and sometimes competed in the long jump.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Rev Sidney Holston; by sons Sidney Holston, Frederick Holston and daughters Inessa F. Holston and Kezia Olivia Holston; and seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.