Gladys Pearl (Smith) Holmes

KNOX – Gladys Pearl (Smith) Holmes, 91, of Knox passed away on Oct. 9, 2021, at home surrounded by family. She was born in Freedom to Bernard and Marjorie (Stevens) Smith. She went to area schools and graduated from Freedom Academy and was co-captain of the championship basketball team.On Jan. 18, 1950, Gladys married the love of her life, Clinton “Sonny” Holmes. After he returned from the Army, they bought their home in Knox and raised their three children there. They celebrated their 66th anniversary shortly before his death in 2016. Gladys continued to live there until her passing.They enjoyed many years of roller skating, camping, golfing, and bowling, going on many trips to Nationals bowling. They made many trips west to visit her brother Cecil and his family in Nevada. They hosted the annual family reunion for many years. Gladys was also the Registrar for the town of Knox for over 25 years.Gladys was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her baby sister, Carlene;, her brother, Cecil and wife Virginia, her sister, Janet Boynton, brothers-in-law, Raymond Grass, Lawrence Wyman, and Ronald Holmes.Gladys is survived by her three children and their spouses, Sandra and Jon Willette of Freedom, Gary and Jolene Holmes of Unity, and Steven and Kim Holmes of Freedom; 11 grandchildren and their spouses/partners, Glenn Giggey and Bri Pushor, Don Giggey and Jen Dourant, Kerri and Louis Genness, Jason and Nicole Giggey, Ryan and Jasmine Willette, Erin and William Pelletier, Jacob Holmes and Naomi Cayford, Sara Holmes and Jeremy Graf, Justine Littlefield, Scott Holmes and Keisha Whitman, Cody Holmes; and numerous great and great-great- grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Charlene and husband Leonard Wyman, brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Cheryl Holmes, sisters-in-law, Loretta Grass, and Debra Holmes; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.Special thanks from the family goes to Dr. Kriegel and his staff at Northern Light Primary Care in Unity for the home visits and phone check-ins, and to Tabitha Cook from A Better Choice Homecare who came in and helped with her personal care. It was appreciated more than you know.A graveside service will be on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Freedom. A luncheon will be held directly after at the Freedom Congregational Church on Pleasant Street.An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.comArrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.
In lieu of flowers,please make a donationin her name toa charity of your choosing