Ardith R. Holmes

Ardith Rae (Bennett) Holmes, 88, a former longtime resident of Altamont, passed away at 9:59 a.m., Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Sunset Health Care Center in Union, Missouri.

She was born October 4, 1929 in Oswego, Kansas to Lloyd and Hope (Newell) Bennett.  She lived most of her life in Labette County, Kansas including rural Oswego, Altamont, and Parsons.  For the past seven years, Ardith lived in Union, Missouri to be near her son and his family.

As a young girl, she attended Newell School in rural Oswego and was a 1947 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. While attending LCCHS, her emphasis was Vocational Home Economics.  She also studied piano and flute and was active in the high school band, Drama Club, and Methodist Youth Fellowship.

On August 8, 1948, she and Marvin "Dean" Holmes were married at the home of her parents in rural Oswego. Through the years, she worked at Holmes Hardware and Company and The Corner Store, both in Altamont, and Newfield's Jewelry in Parsons.

Ardith was raised in the Altamont United Methodist Church and later became a member of the First Baptist Church in Altamont. For over sixty years, she was an active member of the Home Guide FCE Unit.  She won numerous blue ribbons at the Labette County Fair, especially in canned foods.  She was a lifelong Labette County High School Grizzly fan and alumni supporter.  For a time, she was also a member of Rebekah Lodge in Altamont.

Survivors include:

Three Sons – Stanley Holmes and his wife, Jan, of Baxter Springs, KS

Tony Holmes and his wife, Jeanne, of Union, Missouri

Jeffrey Holmes of Parsons, KS

Grandchildren – Angela Holmes of Altamont, KS

Stanley Holmes, II of NC

Nicolaus Holmes and his wife, Hilary, of Union, MO

Susannah Runyon and her husband, Bryce, of McKinney, TX

Martha Mayfield and her husband, Jacob, of Poquoson, VA

Great-Grandchildren – Thomas Moffatt of Altamont, KS

Alexandria Holmes of Springfield, MO

Rylee and Andie Rhea Holmes of Union, MO

Maisy, Samuel, Vera, and Imogene Runyon of McKinney, TX

Cooper Mayfield of Poquoson, VA

Niece – Michele Cave of Parsons, KS

Nephew – Darrell Cave of Parsons, KS

Numerous other nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Hope Bennett; husband, Marvin "Dean" Holmes, on May 10, 2008; and one sister, Daphne Mae (Bennett) Cave, on November 8, 2008.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 22, 2018 at the First Baptist Church in Altamont. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont.  The family will receive friends from 3-4:00 p.m., Saturday, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church in Altamont, Kansas or the First Christian Church in Union, Missouri.  These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.