Hugh Collins Holmes, Jr.

To view the service via Youtube use the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf8kGYxllj0 To view the service via Facebook use the link below: https://www.facebook.com/ZandersFuneralLIVE/ A Time to be Born: On September 14, 1949, GOD would bless Hugh Sr. and Ida Holmes, with the birth of a son, Hugh Jr. A Time to Learn - “Everything that you do for the Lord let it be real”. Hugh began school at Kissimmee High and graduated from Osceola High School in 1968. He obtained his AS Degree in Mass Communication from Valencia Community College, a bachelor’s degree in civil Engineer from Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University (FAMU). At an early age Hugh joined Saint Luke Missionary Baptist Church of Kissimmee, Florida under the leadership of Pastor T.C. Callahan and as an adult joined Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Kissimmee, Florida, under the leadership of Pastor Remer Baker, Jr. Due to work, Hugh and his family relocated to Archer, Florida where he joined Saint Peter Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Dewayne McBride. He always had a strong faith in God that he instilled in others. Hugh believed as a family we are to take care of the possible and God would take care of the impossible. A Time to Labor – “A workman is worthy of his labor”. When Hugh became old enough to work, he worked for his father in orange groves. As an adult, he was employed at Norfolk Southern Railroad as a Track Supervisor, and a Youth Counselor at the Center for Drug Free Living. He also worked for FEMA as an Accounts Property Manager for 19 years until he retired in September of 2023. A Time to Love – “Faith, Hope and LOVE; the greatest of these three is LOVE”. As a young man Hugh met and married Betty Ford. Hugh was the perfect “help mate” for Betty and made God a promise that once He blessed them with His gifts of Children, Betty would be able to nurture them from infancy until they started school and to their union 4 lovely Children were born; Camysha, (Anthony) Gooden of Parkland, Florida, Hugh Holmes,III (Tamika) of Arlington, Texas, Taurol (Mikell) Holmes of High Spring, Florida, and Aurence (Jakita) Holmes of Kissimmee, Florida. Hugh was also the proud father of Leatrice (John) Draper of Shreveport, Louisiana and Ivan Ford of Orlando, Florida. He was blessed with 8 Grandchildren: Craig (Treina) of Dallas, Texas, Armani, Aysha, Nikia, Riley, Natalia, Jacob and Jackson; 3 Greatgrandchildren: Craig Jr., Alanah, and Lay’onna. A Time for Grief – “I have overcome the world…through me you have life...I have given you the victory”. Hugh overcame much sorrow during the demise of his loved ones along the way. God had already entrusted to his care Hugh’s Father, Hugh Holmes, Sr., Mother, Ida Holmes, Brother, Barry Holmes and Sister, Marilyn Holmes. Brothers-in-Law: Frank and Jack Ford, Sisters-in-Law: Eloise Ford, Mary Washington, and Son, Antonio Chappell. Without a doubt, Hugh was a born-again Christian and had the faith of Job. He would say receiving Christ in his life early was his greatest and most life-changing accomplishment. Through it all Hugh learned to lean and depend on Jesus. He leaves to mourn his loving and devoted wife of 47 years, Betty Holmes; 6 Children: Ivan, Leatrice, Camysha, Hugh, III, Taurol, and Aurence; Brother, Chris Holmes (Cathy); Sisters: Shelia Beville, and Marjorie (Neville) Hinds all of Kissimmee, Florida; Brothers-in-Law: Douglas Rich of Boca Raton, Florida, Lee (Candice) Rich of Seattle, Washington, Edward (Mae) Rich both of Boca Raton, Florida, Pastor Johnnie (Verlene) Rich of Atlanta, Georgia, Ruben Rich of San Antonio, Texas; Sisters-in-Law: Sabrina Rich of Boca Raton, Florida, and Armisha Rich of Savannah, Georgia; a very dear Friend: Thaddeus Lattimore. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving relatives, church family and friends. Although gone but not forgotten, our younger men can continue to emulate his love, strength, work ethic, wisdom, and fashion. All of these traits created in Hugh a living testimony that many are in need of hearing and his faith in God. Hugh’s favorite song was “Amazing Grace”. Hugh’s favorite passages of scripture were Mark 12:30 & 31, and his favorite color was blue. A Time to Rest – “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. On Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the blessed age of 74, GOD led Hugh safely home and wherever God led him he followed.

Tributes

Hugh Collins Holmes, Jr.

September 14, 1949 - January 4, 2024