Rachel Leona Cunningham Holmes, age 89 years and 363 days, stepped from this world into God’s presence on Sunday, August 2, 2026. There, she joined the love of her life, her husband of 48 years, Nobie Holmes, along with other family members and friends who had gone before her.
Rachel was born at home on August 4, 1936, the eldest child of Addie Elizabeth Phillips Cunningham Case and Leslie Irvin Cunningham of the Center Point community near Hazen, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Nobie; and her brother, Leslie Doris Cunningham.
She is survived by her sister, Geneva Yvonne (Bob) Manson; her two children, Jerrell Lynn (Elaine) Holmes of Mebane, North Carolina, and Janice Louise (Carl) Holmes Taylor of Little Rock, Arkansas; her grandson, Matthew (Angela) Holmes of Bryant, Arkansas; her granddaughter, Jessica (Eric) Shores Willis of Dardanelle, Arkansas; and her bonus granddaughter, Juno Jones of Chicago, Illinois. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Connor Phariss and Brooklynn Willis; and two bonus great-grandchildren, Jason and Justine Willis, all of Dardanelle; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will miss her cheery attitude and sweet smile.
Rachel attended Hazen schools, where she especially loved her friends and playing basketball. She married Nobie—known to many as Junior—after her junior year of high school, but she later returned to complete her education and proudly earned her high school diploma.
Above all else, Rachel was a homemaker in the truest and finest sense of the word. She gardened, cooked, mended, washed clothes with a wringer washer, and hung them on the line to dry. She was also a gifted seamstress. Janice never owned a store-bought dress until the ninth grade because Rachel had lovingly sewn every dress she wore.
Rachel was involved in everything her children did, both in and out of school. She participated in the Band Parents Club and made sure the family never missed a game or special event. She was equally proud of Jerrell’s musical talents on the guitar and drums. Whenever she could, she attended the Juicy Corner Jubilee to hear her children and their friends play the country and Christian music she loved.
Rachel also had a wonderful sense of style and was always neatly and beautifully dressed. She enjoyed making her own clothes and later worked at Shirlyn Dress Shop, where she delighted in helping customers find just the right look.
More than anything, Rachel loved her Lord and her church family at Center Point. If the church doors were open, she was there unless she or someone in the family was ill. Summer revivals—with services twice a day—Vacation Bible School, and singing schools were all joyful parts of her life. Rachel loved to sing. Although she never had the opportunity to learn to play the piano herself, she made sure Janice did so she could play the church songs Rachel loved so dearly.
In 2019, Rachel courageously left Hazen and moved to Conway to be closer to her grown children. She learned to find her way around her new town, which seemed like a big city to a country girl. She lived there independently until she was no longer able to care for herself and then moved into Janice’s home.
Rachel passed away at Poplar Grove Green House Cottages in Little Rock. It seems especially fitting that someone who loved the Lord as deeply as she did would go to her eternal home on His Day.
Rachel lived a life marked by faith, family, music, service, and love. We will miss her dearly, but we are grateful for the beautiful memories she gave us and comforted by the knowledge that she is finally home.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen, Arkansas Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 5, 2026, beginning at 10:30 A.M.; an additional visitation time will be prior to the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. at Center Point Missionary Baptist Church in the Center Point community north of Hazen, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Center Point Church/Cemetery or CARTI in Little Rock.