Mrs. Leama Gene Keele Holmes

Services for Leama Gene Keele Holmes, 91, of Liberty City, are scheduled for 2 pm Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at the Chandler Street church of Christ in Kilgore with Robert Waller, Bill Keele and Chris Vidacovich officiating under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home in Canton. Graveside services will be 2 pm Wednesday at the Uvalde Memorial Cemetery in Uvalde.

Mrs. Holmes passed away August 13, 2016 in Kilgore. She was born February 20, 1925 in Burnet, TX to Leamon Ganaway and Alta Mae Howell Keele.

Gene was a faithful member of the church of Christ from the time she was a child. She lived in Burnet and Knippa before she was married to Jesse Holmes. Jesse, Gene and their family were charter members of the College Hill church of Christ in Fort Worth. Since coming to Kilgore, she had worshipped with the Chandler Street church of Christ.

Gene was always doing something for the Lord. She saw what needed to be done and did it. She taught children’s Bible classes, ladies’ Bible classes and spoke for Ladies’ Days from time to time. She saw that Fort Worth Christian School had no place for the kids to eat lunch, so she started the school cafeteria and managed it for several years. She also had the idea for a Thursday School (Mother’s Day Out) to promote an outreach for the church. The Thursday School was started around 1969 and she managed it for at least 10 years.

She worked in an “After School Program” for a local Day Care Center and eventually became the director of the Center.

When Jesse’s mother needed more care, she moved in with Jesse and Gene. Later, Gene’s mother also needed to move in. They both lived in the home until they passed away.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leamon and Alta Keele; her husband, Jesse; one son, Terry Joe; and three brothers: Howell Keele, L.G.Keele, Jr. and Asa Keele.

Gene is survived by her daughter, Beverly Stanglin and her husband, John, of Liberty City; two sons: Howard Holmes of Kerrville and Gary Holmes and his wife, Joye, of Mansfield; one brother, Bill Keele and his wife, Kay, of Arlington; two sisters-in-law: Edith Keele of Fort Worth and Sue Wilkins of Weatherford; along with 9 grandchildren and their spouses and 24 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Over the last years of her life, she was a resident of Arabella of Kilgore and suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. We, the family, are thankful for all the prayers that have been raised to our Lord for her and for our family. We are comforted to know that she has now reached the goal that she always lived for—being in Heaven with her God and her loved ones who have gone before.

Pallbearers will be Allan Stanglin, Bradley Holmes, Keith Stanglin, Trent Holmes, Wade Holmes, Geoff Kingsley, Brent Aston, Chuck Panell and Chase McNabb.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.