Julia Goolsby Holmes
March 13, 1949- August 26, 2024
Julia Goolsby Holmes, 75, died Monday, August 26, 2024 at her Andalusia, AL home after a multi-year battle with an aggressive form of dementia. Julia was the daughter of the late Earnest and Syble (Inabinett) Goolsby of Opp, AL and was also preceded in death by her sister, Diana Goolsby Blocker and numerous relations. She is survived by her husband, Raymond Holmes; daughter, Amy (husband, Christopher Johnson); grandson, Cameron, and other extended family members.
Julia spent her childhood in Dade City, FL; graduated from Straughn High School in Andalusia, AL; received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Troy University; and earned her doctorate at The University of Alabama. A lifelong educator, Julia served in the Alabama and Florida public schools as a classroom teacher and instructional coach; as the Director of Weekday Ministries and Concord Christian School at First Baptist Church Concord in Knoxville, TN; and as a university professor at East Tennessee State University, Johnson University, and Milligan University in Northeast Tennessee. A strong woman of faith, she also served in her local churches teaching Sunday School classes, working in children’s ministry in multiple capacities, and supporting missions work around the world. She treasured the many friendships formed throughout her life and especially loved re-connecting and keeping in touch with former students, classmates, and colleagues.
Although Julia retired from her career in education to take care of her parents until they both succumbed to dementia, she never quit teaching. In her last years, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandson Cameron, reading to him until her cognition declined and their roles reversed. Even after the loss of intelligible language, Julia continued to “teach” from her wheelchair, using her tray as a desk to do “creative writing” and “reading” children’s literature to her caregivers and family.
Details regarding a celebration of life service for Julia will be announced at a later date. For those wishing to do so, donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Milligan University’s School of Social Sciences & Education.