Belle 'Blue' Homme

She had anticipated this day with happiness and joy, yet she was ever-present in the fabric of her family’s life, living fully as the champion of her children and grandchildren. Her magnificent creativity, her intellect and wry humor, her courage, resilience and faith were the markers of her life. Her faith in Christ sustained her during difficult times and directed her to pray for each of her children and grandchildren by name. The imprint of her courage in life and love for her family and friends will continue for generations.

Blue was born Eula Belle Johns in Electra, Texas on March 22, 1927 to Clarence and Agnes Johns, and she grew up in a large, loving clan of aunts, uncles and cousins that instilled in her a love of family and generosity toward others. She learned there that family takes care of one another, and later in life she would open her home to any family members in need for extended periods of time. Her family members had endearing nicknames of “Bluebelle”, “Blue”, and Belle for her, and in her later years, she preferred Belle. But her close family members, grandchildren and friends will always know her as Blue. She attended schools in Electra, and she graduated from Electra High School in 1944. It was there that she met her high school sweetheart, Franklin Stanley Homme, and they were wed on February 14, 1946, while Frank was still enlisted in the Army. Frank and Blue lived in several towns before eventually settling in Breckenridge, Texas in 1950 with their first child, Carol. There, they opened several businesses together before opening Frank Homme Studio. Together they built a photography business that documented many of the important personal and public events in the life of Breckenridge. They were a team, as Frank was the photographer, and Blue painted the portraits. As a couple, Frank and Blue’s photography and portrait painting was highly regarded throughout the Southwest. Eventually, Blue developed her own technique of portrait painting that she named “Amber Oils”, and it was this technique that won numerous awards at photography shows throughout the Southwest. Today their work is hanging in many homes throughout Texas.

Blue and Frank raised their four children: Carol Ann, Curtis Frank, Gail Kathleen, and Pamela Kay in Breckenridge, where they were active community members and members of the First Christian Church.

In the spring of 1970, Blue began college with a double major of English Literature and Art. She had never attended college, but because she was an avid reader and had a keen mind, she was an excellent student. Yet, in the midst of obtaining her degree, Belle endured both the tragic loss of her son, Curt, in 1970, and Frank in 1972. But her courage and persistence held her to the course, and in May of 1973, Belle graduated as Co-Valedictorian from McMurray University with a 4.0 GPA. She briefly taught school in Breckenridge before moving to Richardson, Texas. There she worked for JC Penney and taught in the Grapevine schools before taking a position with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Richardson. She remained there until her retirement in 1992. She was a member of Town North Presbyterian Church until her death.

Although she painted Frank’s photographs, Blue’s true love and passion was for oil and pastel painting. Throughout the years, she studied art with master teachers when she could, and she became a serious portrait and studio artist. She shared her love of art and painting with her sisters, her children, and her grandchildren, who all have been inspired in some way by her creative spirit and talent. Her paintings are hanging in many of their homes. Belle was a Signature member of the Southwest Pastel Society, the Richardson Art Association, and the Association of Creative Artists. She displayed her paintings in galleries in the Dallas metroplex, and her paintings won numerous awards throughout the years.

Blue’s greatest gift to her children and grandchildren was her unshakable faith in Jesus Christ, who showed up and proved Himself true to her when her world had collapsed around her. She quietly carried her faith, and it was evident in her treatment of others by offering them grace, acceptance, unconditional love, hospitality, and by putting herself last. She was a loyal and faithful friend, and she was a safe harbor for anyone that needed a safe place to talk or rest. She had an indomitable sense of humor in even her hardest days, and her humor and humility put others at ease. Her generosity toward her children and grandchildren went far beyond her material means, and she often showed her love with a gift of her handwork, her art, or her time. She loved to have a good conversation, and she loved to laugh. She was a lover of the simple things, beauty, and all things good. She had a competitive spirit that prevailed in every knowledge–based game she played, and her children knew they couldn’t defeat her. She loved playing cards, and she was still beating her family members until she went home. She balanced her checkbook to the penny. She never demanded anything from anyone, and she believed guilt trips and shaming were terrible wrongs. She always wanted the very best for others. Her tenacious spirit, which her children called stubbornness, forbade her from ever giving up on herself or others.

Blue looked forward to the day of her reunion with her loved ones, especially her husband and greatest love, Frank, her precious son, Curtis Frank, her mother, Agnes Johns, and her sister and brother-in law, Joyce and Butch Pulliam. She is survived by her daughters that love her beyond measure: Carol Ann Miller of Richardson, Gail Kathleen Sloan of Richardson, and Pamela Kay Huggins and husband David of Dallas; nine grandchildren: Jay Miller and wife Cinamon of Terrell, Belle Ann Miller Thomas and husband Kevin of Tyler, Texas, Frank Curtis Miller and wife Amy of Wichita Falls, Mary Kathleen Sloan-Steele and husband David of North Hollywood, California, Zachary Parks Sloan of Breckenridge, Elizabeth Ann Sloan and fiancé Jared McGovern of Breckenridge, Courtney Huggins Bryson and husband David of Dallas, Sarah Huggins and fiancé Levi Oister of Dallas, and Matt Huggins of Dallas. She is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren: Zane Miller, Ryan Miller, Stella Thomas, Turner Thomas, Callie Bryson and Bear Bryson. Other survivors include her sister Gaye and husband Dale Kelly, sister Aileen and husband Harry Todd, special cousins Voncille Jacobi and Mary Ruth Dovel, and long-time friend Frances Moore. Many nieces, nephews and cousins that she loved deeply also survive her.

A joyful memorial service will be held in Breckenridge for Blue on January 21st with a brief graveside service at Breckenridge Cemetery at 11:00 AM, followed by a 12:30 PM celebration of her life at the First Christian Church of Breckenridge. Dinner and fellowship will follow. The family looks forward to seeing many old and new friends and relatives.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Blue’s compassion and concern for a loved one, the family requests donations sent to the Leiomyosarcoma Direct Research Foundation, http://lmsdr.org/, or your favorite charity.

Ted Dickey West Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas has charge of arrangements.