Mr. and Mrs. Michael Pierce Holt Sr. of Alpharetta, Ga., announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Ann, to Charles Bion Sears III of Atlanta, Ga.

Miss Holt is the granddaughter of Dr. Leonard Wannbacher Willis Jr. of Bainbridge, Ga., and the late Mrs. Frankie Reynolds Willis; and of Mr. and Mrs. William Pierce Holt, both of Bainbridge.

The bride-elect is a graduate of Milton High School in Alpharetta and the University of Georgia, where she graduated with degrees in history and public relations. She is employed as an event planner with the Georgia Press Association in Atlanta.

The future groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bion Sears Jr. of Sandy Springs, Ga. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Monte Cox and the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bion Sears Sr.

He is a graduate of Riverwood High School in Sandy Springs and of the University of Georgia, where he received a degree in landscape architecture. He is currently employed with Reece, Hoopes and Fincher in Atlanta.

The wedding is planned for May 7 at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, with a reception following at the Country Club of Roswell. Formal invitations will be sent.