Elra Mae Holmes

Elra Mae Holmes, age 78, of Gatesville, Texas, (Coryell City) passed away on February 3, 2019, in Waco, Texas. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Scott’s Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Osage Cemetery.  Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 8, 2019 at the Funeral Home. Elra was born in Ava, Missouri on July 26, 1940 to the late Lyman P. Freeman and Lottie Fleetwood. Elra was a wife, mother, grandmother & great-grandmother. Elra and John “Dad” Holmes were married December 17, 1965, in Sanger, Sagerman County, California. Elra was a proud supporter of her husband John during his time in the United States Air Force where the two of them raised their family and traveled the world, places such as Africa, Germany, the Philippines, and many more countries while fulfilling the duties as a United States Airman and a United States Airman’s Wife. Elra and John moved to Flat, Texas in 1984 and shorty after relocated just down the road to Coryell City, Gatesville, where they made their forever home. Elra was a woman of integrity and prosperity. No matter your quirks, she was always a welcoming woman. She didn’t know a stranger and welcomed anyone with open arms, she never looked down on anyone and was always on your side. Right, Wrong or Indifferent, she was on your side. Elra was known for her bingo, She used to show up to the “Old Fire Department,” right outside of Gatesville, where she would play bingo every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday Night. A short time later transitioned to playing down behind the “Old Beer Barn,” at the VFW. Most of everyone at Bingo hall became like family, they knew her, and she knew them. Nothing stood between her and as dad would say, “Her Bingo.” Elra is preceded in death by husband John D. Holmes; Daughter, Lucretia A. Holocker both of Gatesville, TX; Mother Lottie Freeman, Father Lyman Freeman both of MO; Brother Stanley L. Freeman of Fresno, CA; Sisters Barbara Faye Freeman (her twin), Dickie Mores of Mountain Grove, MO; Wilma Persons of Union City, CA and Grandson Patrick Ray Holmes of Gatesville, TX. Elra is survived by her two sons, Bethard “Ray” Lawson and Perry L. Holmes both of Gatesville, Texas; grandchildren Crista L. Stephenson of Judsonia, AR; Jonnie E. Vallar of Little Elm, TX; Alexandra L. Lawson of Quitman, LA; Zachary W. Holmes, Jessica N. Holmes, Damon S. Holmes, Dillan K. Holmes, Kegan J. Holmes, Heather N. Holmes all from Gatesville, TX; and numerous great-grandchildren.