Diane Holmes

Diane Holmes, a loving and faithful mother left this earthly world at the age of 79 to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 4, 2022, in San Antonio, with her daughter by her side. She is preceded in death by her mother, Olivia Luckett of Fentress, her father, William George Holmes of Corpus Christi, as well as beloved grandparents, aunts, and a half-brother. Diane was delivered by her grandfather, Dr. Frances Luckett, in Caldwell County at Luling Hospital and later attended high school in Fentress, Texas. Soon thereafter, Diane became a wife, mother, homemaker, and later a working mother. Each role, especially the mother role, was met with enthusiasm, pride, sacrifice, and selflessness. Decades before moving to Huntsville, Texas, Diane had a variety of Administration roles within West Houston Medical Center in Houston Texas where she worked for over 20 years. Although, a loyal and dedicated employee, working was a necessity and a means to do the service work placed in her heart. Like many of her ancestors, Diane lived and exemplified a life of service. Anyone that knew Diane, knew her fervent passion for all creatures great and small. That passion was the driving force behind her life's mission: To promote the welfare of all animals. While in Houston, she served as a Caring Critter Volunteer. For 10 years, and hundreds of hours, Diane and her two therapy animals, Barbara Bush, a sphynx cat, (who wore a pearl necklace to therapy visits) and Dixie, a Terrier mix, provided animal assisted therapy to patients and their families. Whether Diane was volunteering or simply saw the need, she never let a teaching moment go unsaid when it came to animal welfare issues or animal rights and believed educating people and communities was paramount to improving the welfare of all animals. Nor was she quiet or shy in engaging elected officials at the State and Federal level over legislation related to animal welfare issues. Over her lifetime, the number of animals she rescued, rehabilitated, and fostered are simply, innumerable. As a native Texan, Diane also had deep profound love for horses and horse racing. She served as a committee member of the Texas Women Pari Mutuel Horse Racing, in the late 80's and early 90's. Once again, volunteering hours upon hours to promote the sport of horse racing and educating fellow Texans on the economic benefits of bringing horse racing to Texas. Shortly after Diane retired and move to Huntsville, she met the late Dr. Carlos Arreola, founder of Little Woman Home for Animals and the rest they say, is History. From 2007 -2022 she selflessly, engaged in the not so glamorous activities that are essential to the wellbeing of animals living the remainder of their life at the sanctuary. Her commitment to LWHA and the animals never waned, and only ended when she succumbs to metastatic cancer. As I reflect about the woman, I called mother and often called "the mom" I am thankful for the values, morals, ethics, and integrity she modeled over my lifetime. She instilled in me patriotic values rooted in freedom, loyalty, sacrifice and love for this Great Country. She taught me compassion, humility, and that service above self is love. Her service above self sometimes meant we shared less time with one another, but more importantly, I learned how powerful living a life filled with purpose can be to oneself and all of humanity. Her alikeness to two of her favorite celebrity Texans, Willie Nelson and Kinky Friedman could be described as authentic, a little bit outlaw and deeply passionate towards God's creatures. At Diane's request, there will be no formal service. Should you desire, memorial contributions can be made in Diane's memory to LWHA at www.littlewomanhome.org, or Black Beauty Ranch at www.humanesociety.org/blackbeautyranch, or any animal charity of your choice. "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatama Gandhi

Diane Holmes

February 6, 1943 - April 4, 2022