Laura Taylor Holmes

A celebration of her life will be held Monday, October 11th at 11:00 a.m. at Brethren Church of College Station/Bryan.

Laura was born July 9, 1940 in Buras, Louisiana to Kenneth Alfred and Bertha Mae (Bertram) Taylor. She and her family lived in southern Louisiana for seven years before moving to Beaumont, Texas. She was baptized into the Christian faith at the age of 12 at Rosenberg Methodist Church. Laura graduated from high school in Rosenberg and attended the University of Houston earning a Bachelors of Science degree in Mathematics in August, 1962. Following graduation, she began teaching in the Spring Branch I.S.D. In 1964, she married Ronald Edwin Holmes and they moved to Columbus, Ohio and started a family. After her children were grown, she went back to school and received a Masters of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 1988. She began working for the Center for Presidential Studies, which was the research center that supported the presidential library in affiliation with the political science department at Texas A&M.

Laura lived life to the fullest and was involved in many activities including bridge, square dancing, extensive traveling, exercise, crafts, interior decorating, and cooking. She made her children and grandchildren a priority in her life and always had fun events planned for everyone. Laura was actively involved with the Brazos Valley Republican party; she even had the opportunity to meet Presidents, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush.

Laura volunteered countless hours in the community. She volunteered with the Brazos Valley Food Pantry, Brazos Valley Hospice, RSVP, the HOSTS program in the Bryan school district, and the Senior Committee. She was instrumental in establishing a Senior Citizen Community Center in College Station. Laura was a benefactor to several international ministries, the Boys and Girls Ranch, Cal Farley and Still Creek Ranch. She made sure that our military personnel in Iraq were still thought of, by sending packages and corresponding to soldiers.

Her parents precede Laura in death.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Ed and Shannon Holmes, Chatham, NJ, Suzanne and Simon Davies, London, U.K., Kenneth Wesley and Zhanna Holmes, West Columbia, Texas, Bonnie and Gregg Hess, Coppell, Texas; grandchildren, Hailey and Holden Holmes, Sophie and John Davies, Kenny Holmes, Danielle, Eli, Jake and Mollie Hess; and her close friend, Gemma Hughbanks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stillcreek Children’s Home, 6055 Hearne Road, Bryan, Texas 77808, (979) 589-3206.