Julia Ferrial Holmes

October 20,1927 – October 24, 2025

Julia Holmes, 98, passed away on October 24, 2025, after a long and full life.

Julia was an accomplished seamstress who spent her years creating beautiful things with care and skill. She loved to tell jokes, sing, and share stories about what life was like in earlier times -stories her family will deeply miss hearing. She was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who lived through nearly a

century of change. Those who knew her will remember the high standards she held for herself and others. Though she could be stubborn at times, her heart longed to be loving and connected — and beneath it all was someone who cared deeply, even if it wasn’t always easy for her to show it.

Her faith was a guiding force throughout her life, and she rarely missed a church service at Gardendale Church of Christ where she was a member for many decades. Julia’s dedication to her church community was a defining part of who she was.

Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Welton Holmes, who brought light and joy to her life, and by her parents, Lola and Stephen McEwen, and her five older siblings. Julia is survived by her daughters, Carol (Buck) Buchanan and Donna (Mike) Schafer, her grandchildren, Garret (Lindsie) Buchanan and Ali (Eli) Johnson as well as her great grandchildren, Everyn and Nora Johnson.

A service to honor her life will be held at Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel on Monday, November 3rd. Visitation is from 1-2pm with service beginning at 2pm.

Pallbearers - Jeff Ellis, Steven Powell, David Null, Brandon Woodard, Caleb Gandy, Robert Price.

Honorary Pallbearers - Buck Buchanan, Eli Johnson, Mike Schafer.