Julia Jeanette Holley

Jeanette graduated from Gainesville High School in 1952. She was a devoted student and enjoyed being the president of the homemakers club where she learned to cook and sew. The homemakers club was also in charge of an annual homecoming parade float & hayride where Jeanette met the love of her life, John William Holley in 1948. The two were married on February 22, 1953 and celebrated 69 years of marriage before John’s passing in April 2022.

Jeanette was a woman of God who devoted her life to her family, church, and community. She was cherished by all who were blessed to know her.

Like many women of her generation, Jeanette opted not to work outside the home and devoted her time to raising her two children and being a proud military wife. Jeanette loved the experience of living in multiple countries around the world while beside her beloved husband who was stationed in England, Taiwan, Korea and 6 different states in the United States. In 1979, Jeanette and John moved back to League City, Texas to help care for their first grandchildren. Jeanette was an involved member of Texas Avenue Baptist where she worked as the church secretary for more than 20 years. She loved sharing her faith with others and Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior was the center of her life. In her retirement, Jeanette was an avid cook and enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Feeding and caring for her family was her greatest joy.

Jeanette is survived by her daughter Patricia Ray-Rodgers and daughter-in-law Deborah Holley, 7 grandchildren: Natasha Rodgers, Holley Brown, John Rodgers and wife Yoon, Ryan Ray and wife Britni, John (Trae) Holley III, Cody Rodgers, and Kyle Rodgers, 11 great-grandchildren: Ethan Smith, Lila Brown, Alexandra Manger, Julia Brown, Emma Ray, Courtney Manger, John (LJ) Holley IV, Calissa Rodgers, Eli Ray, Jack Rodgers, and Evan Ray, and her siblings: Minnie Marie Batchelor, Betty Jean White, and Francis Louise Griffith.

Julia is preceded in death by her beloved husband John William Holley, son John WIlliam Holley Jr., parents Jacob and Carrie Bell Fender, siblings: Mary Marcelette McElory, James Bobby Fender, Jonny Leonard Fender Linda Faye Griffis, and Charles David Fender, sons-in-law: Dr. Gerald Ray and Dr. Roger Rodgers, and grandson Justin Ray.

A visitation for Jeanette will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023 from 1:00pm - 2:00 pm with a funeral service to begin at 2:00pm and a committal service to follow.

All services will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home and Cemetery, located at 21620 Gulf Freeway in Webster, Texas.