Dorothy Holmes (nee Goff) Mon. March 7, 2022

Wife of late Jason Holmes, Daughter of late Roscoe and Carrie Goff,

Sons Jason Holmes, Jr. (Nancy), Jim Holmes (Ruth). Daughters late Janis Boss (Steve), Jayne Maeda (Chris, MD). Grandchildren Jason Holmes III, (Kim), Sean Holmes, Aaron McCreight (April), Travis Holmes, Laura Baer (Jeremy), Jennifer Kalmer, Julie Huelsmann (Kurt), Mark Holmes (Ciara), Matt Boss (Amy), Liz Boss (Jason), Lisa Maeda. Great Grandchildren Bailey Sabree, Jake Brown, Jason Holmes III, Henry Holmes, Colin McCreight, Cooper McCreight, Cora Holmes, Grace Huelsmann, Lila Huelsmann, Penny Boss, Hera Boss, Jack Boss. Aunt to Dorothy Ann Christian (Charles) Debbie Christian, Sherell Christian.

Dorothy Goff Holmes, graduated from Hornersville High in 1940. When she followed Roscoe around as a youngster, he called her 'Petey'. The Goffs lived at the end of a lane behind the Ralls between the Railroad Spur and the river. Dorothy began school a year early because Carrie was unsure what age she should start. She was allowed to stay, then repeat first grade with her peers. During WW II, she escorted a young Dorothy Ann to Warner-Robbins, GA. She didn't like her 'Rosie the Riveter' job, actually worked on airplane instruments, because of the Georgia heat in the building.  She returned to Hornersville, where she began teaching at a one room school, 'Owls' Roost', at a lumber camp in the Hornersville Swamp, 1944-45. Flooding closed the route to the camp, so she was reassigned to 'Treasure Island', a three room school. She loved working with the other two teachers, who taught her so much about what a teacher can do. The three talked every day. Throughout her long educational career she always loved talking with other teachers about how to improve the delivery of instruction to students. In 1946, the Superintendent told Dorothy to continue teaching, she needed to earn a degree. She could choose either Southeast MO, or Arkansas State.  She chose A-State. There Dorothy met a tall handsome WWII veteran the same age, Jason Holmes. They married and Jason Jr. appeared. Dad taught and coached at schools in the vicinity. Cardwell Mo, then Lafe, AR.  Jason, Jr. was diagnosed with life-threatening asthma and the treatment moved the family to the Arizona desert, which Dorothy hated because of the weather.  Jason, Jr. recovered and the family returned to the Midwest, first, to Flint, MI. Snow arrived in late September and stayed until mid-April, Dorothy hated that weather. The family moved to Naylor, MO, where Jason coached and taught until they moved to STL their permanent home in 1955. Dorothy sacrificed her teaching career to stay home for the four kids. Brothers Jason,Jr. and Jim played ball through college.  Dorothy and Jason spent years sitting on bleachers. Janis and Jayne were musicians. Jason and Dorothy attended concerts and shows. Dorothy returned to the classroom as a super sub until she and Jason, Jr. graduated from University of MO, St. Louis, UMSL in 1972. They began their full time careers together in Normandy. Teachers in Normandy respected, appreciated and loved Dorothy and Jason for the ways that both connected and advanced the profession. Both served the Normandy Teachers Association as officers.  She served American Legion Post 212, Vinita Park as Auxiliary Commander.  Dorothy practiced her faith as a lifelong Methodist. Dorothy was an accomplished vocalist.  After retirement, Dorothy and Jason began dance lessons and soon danced 5 nights a week.  Dorothy delighted in their many grandchildren.  She always found a special project to do with them.  Many hours were spent playing dominoes.

We celebrate her life as A Century of Dorothy! Only .017 of one percent of Americans attain centenarian status. Takes a certain toughness to achieve that status, and someone born in Hornersville in 1922, learned to be tough. She assumed many roles: Daughter, Sister, Cousin/Aunt, Petey, Student, Friend, Rosey the Riveter, Teacher, Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Dorothy played them well throughout a long life, well lived, always beaming a sunny smile and expecting a smile in return. We invite folks to give generously to their favorite charity UMCOR-the United Methodist Committee on Relief.  Donors can specify where they want to send money to help in a specific disaster such as fire, tornado, flood, hurricane or Ukraine.

Service at Ortmann's, 9222 Lackland Rd. Overland Sat. May 28 at 11 a.m. Visitation from 10 am to 11 am.