Genevieve Poage Holmes
Genevieve Poage Holmes passed away peacefully at home in Ennis, Texas on December 13, 2024. She was born October 4, 1939, to Walton Poage and Helen Elrod Poage in San Angelo, Texas. She was raised in the ranching and rodeo culture of West Texas and was very proud of her heritage. Genevieve graduated from Rankin High School and Texas Tech University. Following her education, Genevieve taught school in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Ozona, Sanderson, Ennis and Palmer, Texas. She was loved by generations of students and followed the lives of many of them.
After her teaching career, Genevieve became an accomplished jeweler and renowned antique expert, enjoying a lifelong interest in decorating and fine art. She traveled many times to Europe and across America during her career as an antique and art dealer and forged many close friendships. She was also involved in many civic organizations in Ennis including the Ennis Public Library and The Ennis Community Hospital Board, for which she served as chairman. An avid animal lover and advocate, Genevieve championed the humane treatment of abandoned and abused animals. Through the years, she doted on many horses, cats and dogs, and was never without a German Shepherd, or two, to greet her guests.
Genevieve is preceded in death by Gentry Holmes, her husband of fifty-one years; her parents, Walton and Helen Poage, and her dear friend Juan Hernandez Zamora.
She is survived by her surrogate son, John Roach and life partner Lorena Devlyn of Austin; brother, Bud Poage and sister-in-law Nancy Poage of Rankin; nephew, Trey Poage and wife, Nicole, and great nephew and nieces, Grayson, Claire, and Audri Poage of Marble Falls. She is also survived by her beloved cousins Teed Boyd, Bobbie Boyd, Billie Farr, Alice Hickerson, Ellen Mosher and Dr. Thomas Elrod.
Honorary pallbearers are: Walter Erwin, Jonathan Erwin, Zachary Erwin, Phil Farr, Ben Gerhauser, Paul Hoffman, Debs Gamblin, Brock Jones and Thomas W. Elrod.
A celebration of Genevieve’s life will be held at the home of Walter and Patsy Erwin, 1137 Mockingbird Circle, Ennis, Texas at 3:00 p.m. on January 19, 2025.
Graveside service and interment will be held at Rankin Cemetery, Rankin, Texas on January 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the home of Bud and Nancy Poage, 200 W. 7th Street, Rankin, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Ellis County SPCA, 2570 FM 878, Waxahachie, Texas 75165, or the charity of your choice.
