Irene Holly

Services are scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 12, at First Baptist Church, Artesia, New Mexico for Mary Irene Francis Holly of Artesia.

Mrs. Francis, 81, died Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at her home.

Rev. Rick Sullivan will officiate at the services with burial at Twin Oaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Paul Francis, Tino Munoz, Ben Harvey, Jason Winkler, Troy Wallis, Warren Yehl, Luke Woolsey, and Conner McReynolds.

Visitation will be at Terpening & Son Mortuary beginning at 10:00 a.m. Friday.

Irene was born September 20, 1934 in Hobbs, New Mexico; the daughter of Julian Westley Robertson and Juanita Grace (Justice) Robertson. She came to Artesia in 1950 from Carlsbad.

On October 20, 1952 she married Jimmy N. Francis. He preceded her in death on January 26, 1991. She married Leroy Holly in Artesia on January 5, 2002. He preceded her in death on December 12, 2010. Her parents and a sister Betty Marie Thomas also preceded her in death.

As an active member of First Baptist Church, she taught several Sunday School classes and worked in the single's and children's departments. She served in Good Samaritan Helpers Club, Eastern Star, Women's Missionary Union, Community Bible Study, on the board of J & J Home Care, Inc. and Emmaus.

As a homemaker with young children she led groups in 4-H, Cub Scouts, PTA and Story League. In each of the past twenty plus years she enjoyed her annual "Sisters' Reunion", where she and her five sisters celebrated their love by gathering at different vacation spots and acting silly. A world traveler, Irene toured Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, Egypt, The Holy Lands, and Europe, as well as safaried in South Africa. In her spare time she loved to be with her family and play games.

Survivors include her children: James Francis and wife Susan of Hobbs, Joyce Munoz of Artesia, Jerry Francis and wife Lisa of Albuquerque, and Jay Francis and wife Tracy of Carlsbad; step-children Ben Holly and wife Debbie, Richard Holly and wife Gloria, and Margie Aaron and husband Randy all of Texas; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters Judy Stratton of Grand Junction, Colo., Dottie Higgins and husband Wayne of Granbury, Texas, Trudy Martin of Monkey Island, Okla., Linda Williams and husband Harold of Sapulpa, Okla., and Joanie McIntosh of Allen, Texas; sisters-in-law Doris Ann Kennedy and husband Bruce of Ruidoso, N.M., and Nita Holly of Artesia; and numerous nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Mexico Baptist Children's Home, 1356 NM-236, Portales, NM 88130, or a charity of your choice.

Visitation

Terpening Son Mortuary
611 W. Grand Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Friday, December 11, 2015
Beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Service

First Baptist Church
322 W. Grand Avenue
Artesia, NM  88210
Saturday, December 12, 2015
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Twin Oaks Memorial Park
59 Lake Arthur Highway
Artesia, NM  88210

Memorial Contributions

New Mexico Baptist Children's Home
2200 S Avenue I
Portales, NM  88130