Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and teacher, author and caregiver Evelyn Holbrook, 97, of Lexington, KY was welcomed into her Holy Father’s loving arms in the evening of 28 May, 2025.
She was born on 29 October, 1927 in Carter County, KY to Orville and Ethel Rice. She made many memories growing up in depression-era Appalachia with the love and guidance of her parents, whom she would later provide in-home care for as each, first Ethel, then Orville experienced failing health in their final years, respectively.
A graduate of Hitchens High School, Morehead State University, and the University of Kentucky, she began her teaching career in 1946 at Cedar Point School in Carter County, ultimately retiring from Russell Cave Elementary in the Fayette County School system in 1987.
Evelyn met the love of her life, Robert Allen Holbrook in March, 1951 at the Holbrook Hardware Store, Olive Hill, KY and they were married 5 January, 1957 at Barretts Creek Baptist Church, Grayson, KY.
Bob and Evelyn had four children between July, 1958 and March, 1968: Flint, Eloise(deceased), Zane and Faith. She was a devoted wife and mother, teaching, training, and caring for each child, while maintaining the household and supporting her husband in his career. As the kids matured, she resumed her teaching career.
She doted on, loved and enjoyed her eleven grandchildren; Flint and Nathan Holbrook, Philip, Daniel, Thomas and Elaina Cravens, Hannah, Hunter, Heath, Hayden and Halle Holbrook. While she enjoyed just “keeping” or spending time with them, particularly as infants and toddlers, some of her fondest memories are from the many Shockey Tours of historic sites that she and Bob took the grandchildren on while the children were out of school.
Evelyn had a passion for sewing and knitting. She was an excellent seamstress, often teaching techniques and stitches and sharing her wealth of knowledge with members of the younger generations of friends and family.
She was an active member of many Baptist churches throughout her life as geographical moves sometimes dictated changes. In her later years, she was a devoted member and supporter of Heritage Baptist Church, Winchester, KY.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Ethel Rice, a daughter, Eloise Holbrook, and a grandchild, Philip Cravens. She is survived by her brother, Kenneth Rice, her husband of 68 years, Robert Holbrook, two sons and daughters-in-law, Flint and Beverly Holbrook and Zane and Latrell Holbrook, a daughter and son-in-law, Faith and John Cravens, ten grandchildren, Flint, Nathan, Hunter, Heath, Hayden and Halle Holbrook, Hannah Gangaram, Daniel, Thomas, and Elaina Cravens, and six great grandchildren, Addison, Harlan, Johnny, Maddie and Harrison Holbrook and Jonah Cravens
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Evelyn’s life during visitation at Heritage Baptist Church, 4369 Lexington Rd, Winchester, Kentucky on Wednesday, June 4 from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Lexington Cemetery.
