Connie Louise Holmes

Connie Louise Holmes, 96, of Lexington TN, passed away on January 28, 2024 after an unexpected cardiac event. She was blessed with amazing health and sharpness of mind until the very end. She was the oldest of three children born on Wednesday, February 9, 1927 to the late Connie (C.C.) Sullivan and Bernice Conger Sullivan. Throughout her long life, she fulfilled many roles. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1944 where she “fell head over heels” in love with Ollie Holmes at age 14 and told stories of saving her nickels to go to Davies Drugstore after school to watch him wash dishes. They endured being separated during WWII where he carried her picture in his pocket through many difficult days. During the war, Connie attended Murry State College from 1944-1945 but decided to come home after one year. She never regretted her college experience. Later she carried the mail under the instruction of her father, which she loved. Sometimes she wondered if she should have continued working with the post office, especially being a people person and how she loved getting to know the many people on her route. Connie and Ollie were married May 5, 1946, after his return from WWII. They moved around for a few years as Ollie got his degree in Mortuary Science. When they moved back to Lexington, she worked for her uncle, Dr. Pete Conger at his clinic. While working with Dr. Conger she learned and had many duties; everything from working in surgery, dispensing medicine, helping with tuberculosis treatments and even keeping all the books. She once said that one of her proudest accomplishments was that a state auditor complimented her book-keeping as some of the best he had ever seen. After her son (David) was born, she stayed home for several years, then, through some unforeseen family events, she was given the opportunity to buy into the insurance business, which became known as Sullivan and Harris Insurance. She was extremely proud to be one of the first female business owners in Lexington and to help others start their business. One of Connie’s passions was her faith and her walk with the Lord. For most of her life she attended the First Baptist Church of Lexington where she was a faithful member and taught her beloved Sunday School Class. Her love of studying the scripture was evident by her well used bible showing highlighting, underlining and every blank page filled with her notes, some even detailing the wishes for her funeral. She literally read and wrote in her bibles until they fell apart. Besides her faith, her love for people was one of the biggest joys of her life. Surviving Mrs. Holmes is her daughter, Lona Carol Webb; a brother, Dr. John Hugh Sullivan; daughter in law, Tracey Holmes; three grandchildren: Hilary (Aaron) Grissom and their children Gabriel and Samantha, Sunnie (James) Dickson and their children, Sophia and Lincoln and Steven (Cyndal) Williams and their child, Nova Lee. Besides Connie’s parents she was preceded in death by her husband Ollie D. Holmes, her son David Holmes and her sister, Robbie Harris.

Connie Louise Holmes

February 9, 1927 - January 28, 2024