CAROLYN RUSSELL HOLMES
1917-2017
Carolyn Russell Holmes died peacefully at her home on Sunday, the 28th of May 2017, just shy of her 100th birthday. She leaves a world changed by her long and full life spent serving the Lord, her family, and countless others. She was loved and liked by all who knew her.
Carolyn was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston, Texas on the 4th of June 1917, to Joe and Jeannette Russell. She attended Montrose Elementary, Lanier Junior High School, and graduated from San Jacinto High School. She then attended and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Carolyn married Ned Sweeney, who was killed in action during WWII. They had a son, Ned. After the war, Carolyn and Ned were living with her parents when Harry Holmes, Jr. who was living just down the street with his mother after his return from service in WWII, started to pursue her. They were soon married and had five daughters, Judy, Carol, Mary, Helen, and Laura.
Carolyn was a modest but faithful servant of God. She was a member of the Gleaner Class Sunday School and taught three year olds at her cherished church, River Oaks Baptist Church. For decades on Sundays, she could be found in the back pews of the Sanctuary. Much of her indomitable strength came from her faith in Christ, and her unwavering honesty, immense generosity and unconditional love sprung from her Christian values.
Carolyn, a proud Houstonian, could be found in any number of places in her community volunteering, working, or simply enjoying life. Always crafty and creative, Carolyn and a close group of friends opened their popular shop of handmade gifts, Makit, Inc. She was a member of The Junior League of Houston where she continued to volunteer in The Pantry as a Sustainer for many years. One day you might find her at her kitchen island on her Braille typewriter transcribing books for The Lighthouse of Houston. The next day she might be needlepointing something magnificent for River Oaks Baptist or for a customer from Chaparral, where she loved working with close friends. She served as a classroom docent for the Museum of Fine Arts. She was a member of the Houston Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club and was a member of the Order of the Golden Arrow. She loved puzzles, art, Mahjongg, games of all sorts, chocolate, working with her hands, traveling with family and friends, and quietly observing the interactions of those she loved.
Her parents, Joseph Holt and Jeannette Markle Russell; her brother, Joseph Holt Russell, Jr.; her sister, Jeannette Russell Baker; her husband Harry Holmes, Jr.; and her daughter, Carol Holmes Wolf, precede Carolyn in death.
She is survived by her son, Ned Sweeney Holmes (Kay) and daughters Judy Holmes Hutchison (John), Mary Holmes Thompson, Helen Holmes Maxson (Danny) and Laura Holmes Gruy; and seventeen grandchildren, Ned Holmes, Jr., Helen Hutchison Levin (Jordan), Lynn Wolf, Shawn Hutchison Jones, Berkeley Holmes Downie (Jason), Delia Wolf Johnson (Eric), Colby Martin, Rusty Martin, Erin Holmes, Carolyn Martin Dodson (Chris), Allison Holmes Spayd (Mike), Steve Thompson, Jr. (Anabel), Hannah Gruy (Harry Brantly), Maley Thompson (Rob Passberger), Will Gruy, Harry Thompson (Yuri), and Nicky Gruy; and 28 great-grandchildren Christopher Holmes, Grace, Joe and Haley Levin, Chase and Will Wolf, Max, Lucy, and Georgia Jones, Annabelle Baker, Sam, Michael, Malcolm and Vivian Downie, Holt, Vaughn, Reid, Beck and Townes Johnson, Hugo and Ben Martin, Parker and Milly Dodson, Cole and Scott Spayd, Carolyn and Sam Thompson, and Otis Brantly; and six step-grandchildren, David Mitchell, Laura Dalton (Mark), Emily Covey (Chad), Katie Bosman (Paul), Amanda Armbruster (Ryan), and Mallory Maxson; and their children John Berdon, Elizabeth and William Mitchell, Burke Dalton, Elena and Isabel Covey, and Emory Bosman. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends also survive Carolyn. Her family would like to give special thanks to Carolyn’s devoted caregivers and constant companions these last few years, Rebecca Janes, Mata Lazo, Iveth Rivas, Linda Dervis, Vickie Hall, and Mary Mendez.
“Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: ‘Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.’” Proverbs 31: 28-29 The memorial service is to be conducted at four o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 31st of May, at River Oaks Baptist Church, 2300 Willowick Road in Houston, where Rev. Martus Miley, Pastor, is to officiate.
Prior to the memorial service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed toward River Oaks Baptist Church, 2300 Willowick Rd., Houston, TX, 77027; or to The Lighthouse of Houston, 3602 West Dallas, Houston, TX, 77019.