Honey Grove, Texas -- Elaine Kay Holmes was miraculously born by the grace of God on October 2, 1957 in Olympia,Washington to Leon and Jonita Neal. Her entire life proved Kay’s fighter spirit, starting with doctors advising that she would not survive her premature birth, and that if she did survive, that she would live with complications, but she sure proved them wrong. She entered her eternal home with God onFebruary 14th, 2025, after fighting a long-term illness.

Kay grew up with her 4 beloved siblings, Darrell, Cindy, Lynn, and Alan. She was vivacious, with an infectious laugh and smile and brought joy everywhere she went. Her faith in God was inspirational and so strong, she never let her faith waver. We are all better for knowing her.

When Kay was 16 Robert and Joyce Wishard welcomed her into her forever family. She gained wonderful brothers Tom, Joe, and Ronald, and sisters Beth and Sue. She attended Fannindel High School and graduated in 1976. While at Fannindel she made a wonderful lifelong best friend, Ruby Free. After high school Kay worked at National Banner in Honey Grove where she made another lifelong friendship with Linda Clark. Both Ruby and Linda meant so much to Kay as they became family to her.

On February 14, 1975 she met her love, Thomas Holmes. Fifteen months later they were married upon her high school graduation. They remained lifelong great friends.

In July of 1982 she got her most treasured title of Mama when her son Ryan Holmes was born. That joy of becoming a mama was exponentially multiplied in September of 1985 when she welcomed her gem of a daughter, Kimberly Holmes. Kay loved her children deeply and always wanted them near her. She always made sure they knew how much she loved them and that she was proud of them.

In 2008, Kay felt overwhelming joy when she got promoted to Gran with the birth of her beloved first granddaughter Victoria Holmes. She subsequently got to experience that joy again twice in 2011 with the addition of two more wonderful granddaughters, Kaitlyn Emerson and Elizabeth Holmes. In 2018 she was thrilled when she found out she was going to have her first grandson, Ryan Holmes Jr. four years later Kay got a double surprise in 2022 when she became a Gran to twin grandsons Andrew and Liam Holmes. Her favorite moments were all the ones where she got to see all her grandchildren together. While she was able to, she loved to host sleepovers for her granddaughters and spoil them. Kay loved being a Gran above everything. She was so proud of all her grandchildren and loved them dearly.

Kay had such a fun, spunky, loving and outgoing personality and a sense of humor that was unmatched. It’s no wonder so many people wanted to be her friend. Kay was a fantastic friend to many and she cherished every one of her friendships deeply. Her most loyal companion and best friend who never left her side since getting her in 2015 was her precious dog, Gracie Faith.

Kay’s presence is already profoundly missed by all who knew her. Her family’s hearts are broken but we rejoice in knowing she is now in her eternal home with God and free of any pain and suffering.

The family would like to send a special thanks to all the staff at Texas Health in Flower Mound, who took great care of Kay for the last 10 days of her life.

Kay was preceded in death by her Parents: Robert and Joyce Wishard, her brothers: Darrell Neal, Joe Wishard, Ronald Wishard, and Robert Wishard, beloved mother-in-law Loneta Holmes and father in law Thomas J. Holmes. Kay is Survived by her son Ryan (Paulette) Holmes and daughter Kimberly (Shawn) Emerson, granddaughters: Victoria and Elizabeth Holmes, Kaitlyn Emerson, grandsons: Ryan, Andrew, and Liam Holmes. Sisters: Cindy Peavy, Lynn Stroup, and Beth Norwood, Brothers: Alan Neal and Tom Wishard, and several other nieces and nephews and friends.

Visitation will be Monday February 17, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. with funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Oak Ridge Church of Christ, with interment to follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

A sincere thank you to pallbearers: Daniel Wishard, Scott Munger, Gerald Free, Scotty Mahan, Billy Peavy, and Aaron Peavy.

Online condolences and registry can be made at www.coopersorrells.com