Evelyn Holmes

Evelyn Miller Holmes of Marietta, GA passed away peacefully Saturday morning, October 30th, 2010 at the age of 95. She was born on August 21st, 1915 to Albin J. Miller & Helena Bischoff Miller in Lakewood, OH. She graduated from Lourdes Academy in Cleveland, OH. At an early age she refused to be called by her given first name, Gertrude. Her determination and wry sense of humor characterized her life. She was the beloved wife of Merrill Dennis Holmes of Marietta, GA for 68 years. They began their life together with Merrill serving the Army Air Corp in 1941, being stationed at several Air Force bases around the world, including Japan, the Philippines and Hawaii. While in the Philippines in 1950, at the age of 35, Evelyn took up playing golf and played regularly until she was 90 years old. She also played with several bridge and duplicate bridge clubs over the years. She was a faithful member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Marietta. Evelyn’s energetic spirit and love of life provided many wonderful memories for her family.

She is survived by her loving husband Merrill D. Holmes and her three children, M. Dennis Holmes, Jr. and wife Sharyn of Marietta, GA, Mark Holmes and wife Peggy of Jacksonville, FL & Linda Holmes Gilbreath and husband Herbert of Norcross, GA; and four grandchildren, Dennis M. Holmes, Kellie Holmes, Drew Gilbreath and wife Meghan, and Julie Gilbreath. A funeral Mass will be held at 11am on November 4th at Holy Family Catholic Church, 3401 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA. The family will be receiving visitors from 10:00 am to 10:30 am at the church prior to the Mass. Private graveside services will be held on Friday, November 5th, 2010 at Georgia National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made to Holy Family Catholic Church. Arrangements under the direction of H.M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel, Marietta, GA, (770) 997-9485.

My Mother grew up in Lakewood Ohio. Her Dad was the treasurer for the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce for over 30 years and mother a homemaker. She was the middle child of seven. Ruth, Howard and Ester preceded Mom and Marianne, Helen and Dorothy followed.

Having graduated from Lourdes Academy in Cleveland she left home to live with a friend whose father took them to a YMCA to live. Athletics and fitness were her hallmarks. There were rumors that she hitch hiked around the country with her friend Lucresha. She worked for TWA and Fireman's Fund in San Francisco. Skied Lake Tahoe before ski lifts. After about 9 years on her own she met Merrill Holmes at the Philadelphia YMCA where they both lived. Dad still talks about how she was a magnificent dancer, always being asked to dance at the YMCA dances. Merrill and Evelyn married at Barksdale Army Air Base during WWII. She was a vibrant military wife and caring mother. She gave birth to Dennis, Mark and Linda. As a military family they lived at various bases on the pacific rim and in the South. When Dad retired from Air Force he moved to Marietta where he again retired-- this time from Lockheed. Evelyn continued her golf as a winner of many local tournaments. She enjoyed her circle of bridge friends and golfing buddies. As their health began to fail She and Dad schemed to stay in their home for as long as they could, with great assistance from their three children and their spouses.....it was a gallant effort on their part. She entered Brighton Gardens over a year ago after breaking her arm and Dad joined her just last month. They shared a wonderful final month together......

Thank you all for being here to honor my father’s sweetheart and our Mother.

Many of you here may have played some golf or bridge with my mom……..she was a lifelong athlete and an avid gardener also…….As a teen she acquired the nick name Grapenuts. After getting home from school earlier than the rest of her large childhood family, she would read a book and snack on Grapenuts while waiting for the family dinner. Grapenuts remained her favorite cereal. She was an active outdoors person.

My mother was a woman who had very high standards and maintained dignity throughout her whole life. She graciously tolerated the rest of us. She always had our back thru any trials and tribulations. She quietly provided all that a mother does for her children: love, encouragement, hope, discipline, and understanding. She enjoyed watching the journey of all three of her children; myself, my brother Mark and my sister Linda.

Dad married the perfect woman in Evelyn. They were golf partners, bridge players, Shoney’s patrons, house mates, lovers, and parents. She recently mentioned that she lived a very good life. Dad, along with all of us will forever miss her dry humor….she could also level you with one good hard long look………I am certain you all know what I am talking about.

One of her recent fellow residents at Brighton Gardens said she was a “queen.” The wonderful staff who assisted us in caring for her during her final year enjoyed her quick wit and her interaction with them. They affectionately called her “The Boss”

She will be missed but she will be our cheerleader in the sky.