Shawn Andre Holt was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on October 14, 1958. He was the third child of John H. Holt III and Onnie Neal Holt. He was proceeded in death by both parents.

Shawn was born with the severe handicap of Down's Disease. In his early years, he attended the daily program for youth with Down's Syndromes at the Charles D. McIver School in Greensboro, NC. He completed that program in 1980. He then resided at his parent's home until September 2019, at which time he was accepted to live at the Family Affair Group Home in Gibsonville, NC which also has a day activity center in Greensboro, NC.  Shawn remained there until he departed this life on January 4, 2021.

Shawn leaves behind a brother Larry Holt (NC), and sister Carolyn H. Williams (husband Larry – MI) nieces Keisha Brady (husband Steve –TN), Krystal Williams (MI), Ashley Holt and Alex Holt (NC); nephews Patrick Tate (wife Atonya -NC) and Torrol Holt (NC); cousins Caleb and Kaitlyn Tate (NC), cousins Julian and Peyton Brady (TN), and cousin Tristan Holt (Czech Republic); and many family members of the Neal and Holt family.

His memory will live long with his family and friends