Uncrowned Community Builders

Mrs. Holmes was the daughter of famed minister Rev. Sidney O.B. Johnson and Hannah Barnes Johnson. She was born in Montgomery, Alabama about 1917. She relocated with her family to Buffalo, New York from Meridian, Mississippi in 1921. Ms. Holmes received her undergraduate degree from Talladega College and her degree in Social Work from the University at Buffalo. She was a medical social worker at Children's Hospital.

Early in her career she worked as a personal service secretary for the Urban League of Greater New York in New York City. She was married on October 22, 1950 in New York City. Her husband, Dr. Herbert Clarence Holmes graduated from Tennessee State College, the University at Buffalo and the Long Island College of Podiatry. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Mrs. Holmes was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

In the community, Mrs. served as a Director of the United Negro College Fund and the YWCA. She was also active with the Alumni Association of Talladega College and served as President of the Regional Alumni Association. She was also a member of the National Alumni Board of Directors.

She was the sister of Uncrowned Queen, Lillian Meadows and Uncrowned King, Horace C. Johnson. She had one daughter, Carol E. Holmes. Mrs. Holmes is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY.