Delena Joan Holmes

1939 - 2025

Delena Joan Holmes

August 5, 1939 - January 1, 2025

Delena Joan Holmes, aged 85, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025 in her son's home in Springfield, Oregon. She was surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan 17, in Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Decatur. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown.

Born on August 5, 1939, Joan lived a life full of warmth, wisdom, and compassion. She dedicated her years to church ministry and the service of others. A nurturing and loving soul, she was a guiding light to her children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Her legacy is marked by her dedication to God and her church community. She served Peoples Church of God as church organist, Sunday School teacher and creator of the Bible Mountaineers program to reach young children with the Gospel and embed the good news of the Bible in their hearts and minds through memory verses. She later attended Tabernacle Baptist Church for over 25 years, before moving to Oregon to be closer to her son and his family. In Oregon she attended First Baptist Church of Eugene and was an active member of the Crescent Park (now Volante) Senior Living community, where she made many new friends over the past 6 + years.

After beginning her career at A.E. Staley Mfg Co., she later taught piano in her home studio and then taught Yamaha Music School and managed Macon Music. She later moved into hotel and convention management, first with the Holiday Inn and finally with the Decatur Convention & Visitors Bureau. She had an unwavering faith and an immense love for her community, which she served with grace and humility.

Her family and friends will remember her as a loving & supportive mother, grandmother, and friend. She is survived by her son, David L. Holmes and his wife Ellyn; grandchildren Devin Holmes and Lexi Artuso, Caitlynn Holmes and Lizette Dunn, Brennan and Olivia Holmes; and siblings Robert Goodman, Chuck Goodman and Marla LaBeau. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, (Forrest) Larry Holmes; her sister Sharon Womack; and her parents, Chester and Lurlene Goodman.

Joan's spirit will forever be cherished in the hearts of her family and all those who knew and loved her.