85-year-old Catherine Elizabeth (Kitty) Holmes of West Salem, passed from this life to Jesus’s arms on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Oakview Heights in Mt. Carmel.
She was born September 19, 1935 in Flora, the daughter of Nina L. (Cox) and Lewis H. Rice. When Kitty was 16, she left home and traveled alone by train to Santa Barbara, CA to marry the love of her life, Morris Holmes, Jr., before he left to serve his country during the Korean War. They were married on July 30, 1952 in Santa Barbara and enjoyed 62 years together before Morris passed in 2015.
They returned to Illinois and settled in Fairfield, raising their family and attending Ellen Moore Methodist Church where Kitty was active with the children’s department. She also worked many years in retail, provided child care in their home, and was a dietician at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.
They moved to West Salem in 1969 and attended Zion United Methodist Church. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years, earning her GED and attending night classes before beginning a job at Champion Laboratories in West Salem. She started in the factory and eventually moved to the accounting department, retiring in the early 90’s. She enjoyed reading, traveling, and camping, but nothing brought her more joy than her family. She lived for holidays and family gatherings when all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren filled her home.
Kitty is survived by her three children: Debra (Alan) Correll of West Salem; Michael (Susan) Holmes of Albion; and Sandy (Randy) Longbons of Albion; seven grandchildren: Erin (Harvey) Fenton, Jessica (Josh) Simms, Travis (Jaclyn) Correll, Jacob (Summer) Holmes, Austin (Heather) Longbons, Joe (Tracy) Holmes, and Tyler (Mackenzie) Longbons; and 19 great-grandchildren with one more on the way.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris E. Holmes, Jr.; infant son Randall; her parents; and two sisters and six brothers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Zion United Methodist Church Food Program. Memorials will be accepted at Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home, 241 West Main St., Albion, IL 62806
Graveside Service: Saturday, July 31 at 11:00 am, Maple Hill Cemetery Fairfield, IL. The Family requests everyone attending dress casually.
Clergy: David Shain
Ingram Meridith Funeral Home, West Salem, IL.