Elaine Holmes Tyndall

Elaine H. Tyndall
February 1, 1935 - January 2, 2026
La Grange-Elaine Holmes Tyndall, 90, quietly and peacefully passed away in the early morning hours of January 2, 2026. She rejoiced in seeing her Lord face to face and being reunited with her beloved husband of fifty-five years, Melton Donald "Tootie" Tyndall. Elaine was born February 1, 1935 in Wayne County to the late Nerius Carr Holmes, Sr. and Naomi Johnson Holmes.
Elaine deeply loved her family. She looked forward to family get togethers and took great pride in keeping up with birthdays and anniversaries. With Elaine you never had to wonder where she stood on things. Humble and direct, that was Elaine's way.
Elaine loved recipe books. No one has a better collection of church recipe books in the area. In a quiet moment, you may find her working diligently in her newest word search book or listening to bluegrass music. Her gift of creativity reflected brightly through her plastic canvas works of art. Family, friends, doctors' offices and those special to Elaine have received her ornately crafted pieces of art. Her legacy lives on through these gifts of kindness.
Elaine and Tootie were inseparable. When you saw one, you typically saw the other. For fifty-five years they were a team and their bond was truly unique. If there was a bluegrass gathering in the area, you could count on them being in the audience. Summertime was their favorite time of year. She and Tootie took great pride in their garden, and she loved canning and freezing the blessings of the harvest. They loved weekend camping trips to the coast. The water brought them rest and relaxation. You could usually find them fishing or enjoying good fellowship with her family. In recent years, Elaine found great pleasure in tending to her flowers, especially her purple ornamental peppers.
Elaine worked many years with Albain Shirt Factory. Faith was an important part of her daily walk and she loved being in worship with her family at La Grange First Free Will Baptist Church. In recent times, she enjoyed attending worship services at Hull Road Free Will Baptist Church with her sister-in-law, Catherine.
A service to remember and celebrate Elaine's life will be held Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 1 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Kinston.
Elaine is survived by her siblings, Brenda Strickland, Gerald Holmes, Dean Johnson and wife, Edna, Bryce Johnson and wife, Nelda; brother-in-law, Bill Haddock; sisters-in-law, Elsie Holmes, Faye Tyndall, Catherine Adams and Geneva Moore; along with two very special people she thought of as her own, Sara and Ronnie Tyndall. In addition to her parents and husband, Elaine was preceded in death by siblings, Margaret "Dot" Haddock, Merle Foss (Dulon), Joyce Edwards (John Ira), N.C. Holmes, Jr. (Doris), Fay Letchworth (Hally), Royce Holmes; and special in-laws, George Strickland, and Nell Holmes.
A time of visitation and fellowship will be held Tuesday in the hour before the service of remembrance. Memorials may be made to La Grange First Free Will Baptist Church, 802 South Caswell Street, La Grange, NC 28551 or Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, NC 27534. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.