Wilma JoAnn Holman

Wilma JoAnn Holman age 93 of Newcastle, passed away Monday, Dec. 4, 2017 while surrounded by her family. She was born May 9, 1924 in Roff, Oklahoma as the oldest of six children born to Charlie Clinton Cronian and Lee Rebecca (Taylor) Cronian. JoAnn grew up in Maysville, OK and attended Maysville schools. She married her childhood sweetheart, Delbert James Holman in 1942. As an Army wife, JoAnn ensured things ran smoothly on the home front while Delbert served in the 740th Tank Battalion in the U.S. Army in the European Theatre. Upon his return from service and completion of his Agriculture Education degree from Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University), JoAnn and Delbert moved their family to Newcastle in 1950. Delbert served as the Agriculture Instructor at Newcastle for 29 years. During this time JoAnn was very active in assisting with the FFA program while raising their five children and was instrumental in starting the FFA Mother's Club. She and Delbert began a dairy business, hand milking about twelve cows. Eventually this turned into a Grade A Dairy business in 1958. Later it was run in partnership with their late son, Bob Holman and son-in-law and daughter, Dowd and Kathy James who continue to operate it today. JoAnn always enjoyed her time spent working on the dairy, tending to the baby calves, raising chickens and sell eggs. She would often be found leading the large herd of hungry milk loving barn cats across the dairy yard on her way to serve them up a treat of fresh milk. She loved to garden and cook. Some of her awesome recipes included homemade chocolate sheet cake, coconut cream pies, beans with cornbread, and pizza all served with fresh ice-cold milk right from the dairy barn. Most of all JoAnn enjoyed the time spent with all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grand children. She loved spending time in the stands cheering for her grandkids as they played baseball and football. JoAnn was a member of the First Baptist Church of Newcastle and was active in the Ladies Dairy Auxiliary. She also enjoyed 50 years of service in the Newcastle Extension Homemakers. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Lee Cronian; an infant daughter, Barbara Holman; husband, Delbert James Holman; son, Bob Holman; daughter-in-law, Glenda Holman; and son-in-law, Mike Stephens; Siblings, Woody, Bill and Richard Cronian, Bonnie Gresham and Norma Jean Cronian. Survivors include her children: Becky Daniel and husband Tommie of Newcastle, Shirley Hufford and husband DL of Bloomfield, MO, Kathy James and husband Dowd of Newcastle, Mike Holman and wife Charlotte of Newcastle, Jimmie Holman wife of late Bob Holman of Newcastle; grandchildren, Rob Holman, Steve Holman, Wade Holman, Clay Holman, Matt Daniel, Julie Noakes, Chris Stephens, Shane Stephens, Shay James and Taylor James; great grandchildren, Kyle Holman, Mandy Holman, Kayla Holman, Britt West, Kage Holman, Hadlee Holman, Logan Holman, Erica Holman, Isaac Holman, Case James, Parker James, Sam Stephens, Daniel Stephens, Hunter Stephens, Cooper Stephens, Tanner Stephens, Spencer Stephens, Anna Daniel, Katrin Daniel, and Elizabeth Daniel; great-great grandchildren, Madeline Clay, Braydyn Holman, and Jacy Holman. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 8, 2017 at the First Baptist Church, Newcastle. Rev. Jeremy Freeman will be officiating. Interment will be held at the Blanchard Cemetery under the direction of Wilson-Little Funeral Home, Newcastle. Memorials may be made to the FBC Newcastle. A Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Wilma JoAnn Holman

May 9, 1924 - December 4, 2017