Phyllis S. Holmes

Phyllis S. Holmes, 92, of Shawnee, KS passed away August 12, 2023 at home.  She went to sleep and awoke in heaven, her eternal home.

Phyllis was born on May 29, 1931 in Frankfort, KS to Inez and Elmer Smith. When Phyllis was two, her family moved to Hollywood, CA.  Phyllis enjoyed her childhood in California with her favorite playmates; her three siblings.  At age 10 she began working at her family’s restaurant, The Holly Spot, located on Hollywood Boulevard. The family moved back to Kansas her freshman year of high school.

On October 21, 1950, Phyllis married her high school sweetheart, Donald Eugene Wilson. The day before their first wedding anniversary, Don was killed in Korea. She vowed to never marry for love again, but God had other plans for her.

On September 19, 1953, she married the love of her life, Roger Dean Holmes. They were married 55 years when he passed away in 2009.  Phyllis said that she loved Roger “with every ounce of me!”

Phyllis graduated from Wright Business College.  She worked as the secretary at Oak Grove Elementary School for four years and James R Kiene Dental Office for 25 years. Both Roger and Phyllis spent years creating a garden oasis in their backyard which was enjoyed by friends and family.

Phyllis’ passion was for God and her family.  She loved family get togethers and looked for any excuse to call everyone together. Phyllis loved serving at the First Baptist Church of Shawnee and spent many years leading the Junior Department. In recent years, she also served in the church library and anywhere else that she could serve. She had a deep and daily faith in God, prayed daily for family and friends, and shared about Jesus and the Bible with everyone she knew.  She was a great mom, a super grandma, a faithful and loving wife, and a friend to so many.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Doris Torkelson and Nina Howes, and brother, Duane Smith.

She is survived by her three children: Beth (Brad) Kitselman, Vancouver, Washington, Roger (Kathy) Holmes, Woodland Park, Colorado and Phil (Melinda) Holmes, Olathe, Kansas; eight grandchildren: Jeff (Stephanie) Kitselman, Jason Kitselman, Erin (Kevin) Danaher, Michael (Jourdan) Holmes, Monica (Jacob) Johnson, Tyler Holmes, Tanner Holmes, and Trey Holmes, 12 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Shawnee, 11400 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas 66203.

Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 18th at Amos Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Dr. Shawnee, KS.

Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m., Saturday, August 19th at First Baptist Church of Shawnee, 11400 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS; burial in Johnson County Memorial Gardens.