Irene Holmes

Dottie Holmes was a beloved member of the National Village community here in Opelika, Alabama for over a decade. She was born at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico on January 27th, 1950. She passed away after a valiant 2-year battle with cancer on January 14th just shy of her 75th birthday.

Many know of her great patriotism and commitment to the United States. She served faithfully for 26 years as a solder in the US Army including as a helicopter pilot and flight instructor. Her service assignments took her many places stateside as well as Europe and the Middle East. She was a much-decorated veteran of the Operation Desert Storm, flying with the 101st Airborne Division. She achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Office 4 and was one of the first female Army helicopter pilots.

She became a fixture during her retirement at National Village, organizing the women’s golf tournaments and being a self-appointed ambassador for the community. Dottie never met a stranger. In later years she rediscovered her faith in the Lord Jesus who had watched over her all those years in harms way.

In particular she loved her immediate family including her beloved stepson Joshua Conradson, his wife Katy and their two children Jack and Milly. She will be so missed by her sister Yvone Cross and brother Bedford Holmes as well as their extended families. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their children mourn her loss, not to mention all her dear friends locally and comrades in arms of the US Military.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on January 18th at Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home, 1500 Frederick Road, Opelika, AL 36801. A reception celebrating Dottie’s life will be held that afternoon at 4:00 pm at the Robert Trent Jones Club House, 3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika AL 36801.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Samaritan's Purse, Tunnel to Towers Foundation or David Jeremiah Ministries.