Holmes, Pastor Benjamin On December 21, 1930, Pastor Benjamin Holmes was born in Leslie, Georgia to Lynwood Holmes and Victoria Smith Holmes, Sr. Leaving a lasting legacy, he made his Heaven-bound transition on Monday, November 22, 2010. In addition to his parents, five brothers and a granddaughter preceded him in death. He was a respectable, gentle boy and the ninth of ten children. At an early age, Pastor Holmes accepted Christ as his personal savior and never let go. He was a faithful member of Shady Grove MBC in Leslie, Georgia and of Pilgrim MBC in Gary. In 1953, Pastor Holmes married the love of his life, Leatra Purnell Holmes.
To this union, they were blessed with six beautiful children: Yvonne (Rev. Willie) Nichols, Evelyn, Ben Jr., Jeanette (Council) Jones, Antoinette (*Thomas) Gaines, and Melissa. Pastor Holmes was the organizer and pastor of the New Friendship MBC for 53 years! He was employed at the Combustion Engineer Corp., US Steel Mill, the Gary Community School Corporation, and the chaplain for the Gary Steelheads. Pastor Holmes graduated from A.S Stanley High School in Americus, GA. He then attended Fort Valley State College. He received a Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Theological Institute in Houston, Texas; an associate Degree from Calumet CoIlege and a BA in Religious Studies and Pastoral Psychology.
Pastor has mentored and ordained numerous licensed ministers. Multitudes looked to him for direction, encouragemet and mentorship. Pastor Holmes has been awarded innumerable awards for commendations: Tolle-Mann Community Service Award; 2009 Outstanding Pastor of the Year, Midwestern Baptist Laymen Fellowship, Honorary Attorney General for the State of Indiana, Awarded Pastor Of the year by GMOR Theological Seminary, officially certified by the Sunday School Publishing Board in Nashville, TN., distinguished Leader Awards from God's First Ministry, and Instructor for District and State Conventions.
Cherished forever, Precious memories of Pastor Holmes' dedicated life will be shared by his loving, devoted, "easy on the eye" wife of 57 years and best friend, Lady Leatra Holmes; six children, seven grandchildren: LaKisha, Terrance (Tamika), Tarriesha (Rev. Royce Sr.), Antoine, James, Anthony, and Damion II, eight great grandchildren, four sisters: Lucille Franklin, Eleanor Mays, Izora Frank, and Gennie Williams, the entire body of the New Friendship MBC Family, and a host of many nieces, nephews, cousins, fellow yoke men, other relatives and friends. "Well done thy good and faithful servant", you will be greatly missed!
3 comments:
IT'S ALWAYS HARD WHEN YOU LOSE A LOVE ONE A FATHER,A HUSBAND,A BROTHER,A UNCLE,A SON,A FREIND.THEIR IS NOTHING WE CAN DO WHEN GOD IS READY TO CALL SOMEONE HOME.GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES."REV. BENJAMIN HOLMES WAS CALLED TO BE WITH GOD BUT HIS SPIRIT IS STILL HERE IN LIFE MY GOD BLESS THE HOLMES FAMILY..........KNOW THAT GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES
What a great Homegoing for a great Pastor. He touched so many lives and his Homegoing show it. Yes Rev. Holmes will be greatly missed.
As the days pass I still can't believe that my beloved Pastor is gone. I love him and his family so much, that there is just a huge hole in my heart. Yet we must except what God has allowed.
I pray for the health and strength of my First Lady Leatra Holmes, and all of my sisters; Yvonne, Evelyn, Jeanette, Antoinette and Melissa. I will strive to take something from Pastor Holmes teachings to use in my life each and everyday. God Bless you Pastor Holmes.
Love Michele Williams
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