Irene Laptad Holmes

Irene Laptad Holmes, was raised on a farm in Lawrence, Kansas. At 19 she met the love of her life, Eugene J. Holmes. Eugene was a career Army man. Irene followed him to every post he was stationed at and as a consequence lived in many different countries all over the world. They had three children, six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was widowed in 2005. She remained unmarried and lived close to the University of Arkansas where she hosted Bible studies for over a decade. Her house was known to many of the U of A students as "God's house," which she would inform anyone who enjoyed her hospitality, "This is not my house, it is God's." This was as the result of having been born again in 1970. She was forever altered by the realization that the One who created her loved her so much that He died for her sins. She was utterly selfless. She sincerely unconditionally loved everyone. Her mailman, after months of being told whenever she saw him, "I love you," began to respond to her daily that he loved her as well! And her gardener, even after she moved out of her house and in with her daughter, would call her weekly to hear her tell him that she loved him, for she did. It was a blessing to have known her, an honor to have been related to her. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Holmes Burnett and her husband Bill Burnett and their three children, Brian Burnett and his wife Kristy, and their children, Ella Kate and Luke Burnett; Linda's son, John Mark Burnett, his wife Michelle with their three children, Davis, Tyson, and Shelby; and Linda's daughter, Joy Burnett Irvin and her husband Christopher with their four sons, Landon, Braden, Cason and Aiden. Irene's son, Bob Holmes, (who preceded her to heaven) has a son, Michael who is married to Lisa and they have Irene's grandson, Owen. Her other son, Larry, who is also deceased had two sons, Aaron Holmes, who is married to Kristin, and they have three sons, Jackson, Spencer, and Wyatt, and Van Holmes who is married to Alison and they have two children, Evie and Alex. Visitation will be on Monday, May 23, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at Fayetteville National Cemetery under the direction of Moore's Chapel Funeral Home.