Obituary of Willie Holmes

Kernersville- Willie Holmes was born on September 25, 1940, in Round-O, South Carolina, the 2nd of 11 children to the late Mary Etta Dobson Holmes and Ferby Holmes, Sr. He received his high school education in Colleton County and Bachelor’s of Science degree from Claflin University in 1963. In 1964, Willie moved to New York and was drafted to serve in the armed forces for the Vietnam War. Upon discharge from the military, Willie married his high school sweetheart Edna E. Pinckney Holmes in 1966, and to this union three children were born. He served in several positions for New York State Law Enforcement and retired as a parole officer after 30+ years of service. In 2003, Willie and Edna moved to Kernersville, North Carolina. There he made his dedication to Jehovah God and symbolized it by water baptism in December 2006. Willie fell asleep in death on Saturday June 9, 2012, after a prolonged illness. In addition to his parents, he also was preceded in death by his brothers Ferby Holmes, Jr. (Doris), Arthur Holmes, and his sister Mae Frances Reed. Willie was very warm and loving, and dearly loved by many. He loved entertaining family and friends in his home. He enjoyed sharing Bible truths with others, traveling, and spending time with his four grandchildren. Some of his favorite pastimes included playing baseball and cards, manicuring his lawn, and gardening. He leaves to mourn his wife Edna E. Pinckney Holmes; son Rodney J. Holmes (Simone) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; daughters Tonya Holmes-Kelley (William E., III) of Ocala, Florida, and Crystal Holmes of Kernersville, North Carolina; grandchildren Seth and Skylar Holmes, and Kennedy and Reese Kelley; sisters Trudy Noland (Larrin) of Kernersville of North Carolina, Carolyn Jones of Columbia, South Carolina, Shirley Dogue of Kernersville, North Carolina, Gloria Sullivan of Jamaica, New York, and Josephine Holmes of San Jose, California; brothers Johnny Holmes (Deloris), and Larry Holmes; sisters-in-law Jane Singleton (Joseph) of Manning, South Carolina, Mary Chisolm (James) of Summerville, South Carolina, Emma Julia Dicks of Ridgeville, South Carolina, Deloris Gillians (James) of Charleston, South Carolina; brothers-in-law Samuel Pinckney of Ridgeville, South Carolina, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, spiritual sons and daughters, and friends, all of whom will cherish fond memories and dearly miss him. The family will visit with friends from 5-7 pm on Thursday, 6/14, and from 6-8 pm on Friday, 6/15, at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Home in Kernersville. There will be a Memorial Service Saturday, 6/16, at 2 pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, 3799 Old Lexington Road, Winston-Salem, NC, 27107. Please view the Memorial page for Willie Holmes and sign the guestbook at www.Pierce-JeffersonFuneralService.com   PROGRAM Opening Prayer Ben Williams Reading of Obituary Ben Williams Discourse Ed Spears Closing Song #111 He Will Call Closing Prayer Miles Wilson   POEM To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy, A friendship hug, a laugh, a kiss, Oh yes these things I know you will miss. Be not burdened with the times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life has been full and savored much, Good friends, good times, My loved ones’ touched. Perhaps my life seems too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief, Lift up your hearts and share with me, Jehovah has promised us a resurrection in a paradise Where we all will be free   ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The family of the late Willie Holmes would like to thank each of you for your expressions of love, generosity, and sympathy. We are comforted by your prayers, kind words of encouragement, visits, lovingly prepared food, special gifts, and flowers. Your acts of kindness have been a source of strength and consolation and are greatly appreciated during this difficult time. Service Information