Mary Frances holmes 08/03/1928 - 08/12/2022 Affectionately Known To Everyone As “Momma”
M ary Holmes slipped into the comfort of her Heavenly Father’s arms on Aug. 12, 2022. She was born on Aug. 3,1928 in Chase City, Virginia to the late George and Mary Oliver. She received her education at Thyne Institute in Chase City, Virginia, graduating at the top of her class. She went to college in North Carolina. She served as the President of Tenant Council of Baltimore Housing Authority. Murphy Home Projects (Heritage Crossing). She was a strong advocate who bargained, negotiated, and championed for tenant’s rights, She was a dedicated member of Abundant Harvest Ministries. “MOMMA CHERISHED FAMILY”. She opened her home to anyone in need. She fed anyone whom was hungry and became a mother and grandmother to many she came in contact with. She loved to read books, such as “Harlequin Novels”. Anytime you needed her she was there, she had a seat at each and every ceremony for grands and great grands. From preschool to college. SHE NEVER MISSED A BEAT. Mary is proceeded in death her parents George and Mary, husband William, 4 children William (Butch), Kenneth, Anthony, and Elizabeth. 7 Siblings, 3 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Mary leaves to cherish her memory are her brother Willie Robert, Children Margaret, Lela, Patricia, Donald, Linda, Harry, Kim, Joseph, Sharon, William, and Joyce. 35 grandchildren, 81 great grandchildren and 39 great great grandchildren, 3 sons in law James, Willie, Vincent, and 1 God daughter Yvonne. As well as a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends, neighbors, and everyone who’s life she touched. Frances Mary holmes “Our Rock” Affectionately Known To Everyone As “Momma”
………………………………………………… Order of Service
Officiant Pastor Stephen Lawrence: Abundant Harvest Ministries ………………… Processional Praise & Worship Pastor Khare Hawkins & Friends …………………
Prayer of Comfort Elder Robert Carter ………………… Scripture Readings Larissa Oxner St. ………………… Praise & Worship Pastor Khare Hawkins & Friends Reflections ………………… Acknowledgments- (2 minutes) Denine Johnson Reading of Life Reflections ………………… Eulogy Pastor Stephen Lawrence ………………… Benediction & Processional Pastor Stephen Lawrence: Abundant Harvest Ministries …………………
Poetry In Loving Memory of Mary Frances Holmes Mary Holmes, Furthermore
Mary Holmes, Furthermore
I never planned on saying goodbye to you, Because I knew you would live forevermore Since the newspaper clipping taped to the mirror, Confirmed what already couldn’t be any clearer Your name and picture amongst the terror said that you would live on forever.
When they printed your name in the Baltimore Sun, You were etched in history for what you have become. And we’ll memorialize you so it can never be undone. That’s what it means to live forevermore. Your future grands won’t have to look too far If they trace their ancestry back towards the North Star You’d be the first to pop up on their radar When they rummage through the archives of Baltimore. They’ll find Mary Holmes from Murphy Homes sitting on red benches, Grandmothering her cold dark corner of the trenches Where she raised a whole community amongst the syringes
Until she reached the weary age of 94. Surrounded by all her grands and grands. Great-grands, great-great grands, Who each held her hand, Walked her into her forever land And carved her name into Rosetta Stones. Quote no Raven Nevermore Because my Great Grandmother of Baltimore Shall live and live forevermore Her name is Mary Holmes. -R ae Scott
Always in
Our Hearts
Always in
Our Hearts
Always in
Our Hearts
HISTORICAL THE T i m e l i n e of the Life of
Mary Holmes
T he Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s marked the blossoming of black culture and is considered the most influential movement in our history. Black women born in 1928 include Dorothy Dandrige, Shirley Chisholm, Maya Angelou and our beloved Mary Holmes.
Three months after Momma’s birth, Herbert Hoover was elected as the 31st president. One year after Momma was born, The Wall Street Crash of 1929 sparked the beginning of The Great Depression which lasted until Momma was 11 years old.
In 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated
In 1941, (Momma age 13) an attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii sent the USA into the throws of World War 2 where the first all-black group of military pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen served from until 1949. Also during this time, 5 million women dropped their aprons, left the confines of their kitchens and joined the workforce for the very first time. The Thyne Institute, which was originally established as a Presbyterian church in 1876, provided an opportunity for newly freed black men to get an education. It enriched the lives of thousands of black folks in the years following the end of slavery. The Thyne Institute was the prototype for what became known as HBCUs and our Momma likely graduated from there around 1945. We’re not sure exactly when Momma moved from her hometown in Southern VA to Baltimore but we do know she one of 6 million African Americans who moved out of the Jim Crow south to escape poor economic conditions and racial violence during The Great Migration. In May of 1954 (Momma 25, and most likely living here in Baltimore) The US Supreme Court ruled against the “separate but equal” doctrine which began the desegregation of public schools and heightened the racial tension preceding the Civil Rights Movement. One of the first successful anti-segregation sit-ins happened right here in Baltimore at a drug store that sat at the corner of Lexington St. and Howard St. In Aug 1963. (M, 35) Dr. Martin Luther King' Jr gave his most famous "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial
In 1966, Huey P Newton founded the Black Panther Party of Self Defense and In 1967 fellow Baltimorean Thurgood Marshall is sworn into office as the first black Supreme Court Justice. In 1968, When Momma was 40 years old, Dr. King is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. According to The Baltimore Sun, Momma moved her family into a 3 bedroom apartment in the Murphy Holmes Housing Community in 1978. The article states that while she originally resented living in public housing, she grew to love her community and was brought to tears when it was demolished. On Jan 20 1986, Momma was 57 years old when the US observed MLK Day as a federal holiday for the very first time. In 1999, The Baltimore Sun reports that Momma, at 70 years old and after being a resident of MHP for twenty years, was permitted to press the button that blew up the buildings. She was quoted stating, “The man told me, he said, one, two, three, and I pushed the button, but… I don’t think I blew it up, I think I just pushed a button and it looked like I did.” Continue Reading On Next Page >>>>>>>>>>>
THE HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF THE LIFE OF MARY HOLMES CONTINUED
Throughout her 94 years of life, Momma lived through The Great Depression, The Great Migration, The Desegregation of public spaces, The Civil Rights Movement, World War II, The Cold War, The Korean War, The Vietnam, The War on Drugs which led to the mass incarceration of black men, The Crack Epidemic, The Baltimore Riots, 9/11 The War on Terror, and The COVID-19 Pandemic. On the other hand, she also witnessed Hattie McDaniel and Sydne Poitier becomes the first African-Americans to win an Academy Awards. She saw Black History Week evolve into Black History Month. She witnessed the rise of Berry Gordy’s Motown Records and got to watch the full evolution of MJ in real time. She attended the historic Thyne Institute and lived long enough to see , Mae Carol Jemison become the first black woman to travel in space. She probably got the chance to hear Billie holiday sing the blues right here in Baltimore. At the weary age of 80, after all of the racial injustice and violence that occurred during her life time, she saw the first black man sworn in as President of The US and at 93 she saw the first women (black or white) step into the role the Vice President. With all that historical moments Momma witnessed, the most extraordinary phenomena of her lifetime was happening right here in Baltimore. Right here in the community that she dedicated her life to. She got to meet her children’s children’s children’s children and got to watch with her own eyes as her family Continue Reading Below
expanded beyond four generations. In the black community, tracing our ancestry is almost impossible after a certain point thanks to slavery, so for all of us to be able to say that we didn’t just know our grandmother, great-grandmother or great great grandmother…we got to breathe the same air as her, walk the walk with her, talk the talk with her, or take pictures with her, (and y’all know we used to get on Momma nerves with all our pictures). I just want my big beautiful black family to know that we were incredibly blessed to have so many years with the stunning rare gem that we got to call Momma. Mary Holmes was the Great Grandmother of Murphy Holmes, and I don’t say great just because she had generations of grand children, I say great simply because she was great. She wasn’t just our grandmother, she was the personification of black resilience and to honor, the legacy of my Great-Grandmother, I want to let y’all know that I have submitted an application to the City of Baltimore for a ceremonial street sign to rename her street McCullough Cir, to “Mary Francis Holmes Way”. I only sent in the application two days ago so I haven’t been approved yet, but I’m sure with Momma’s amazing track record in the city of Baltimore and the Murphy Holmes Community we won’t have any issues getting approved. This street sign will allow the Great Grandmother of Murphy Holmes to return to her beloved community where she shall live forevermore.
Mary Frances Holmes 8/03/1928-8/12/2022
Tomorrow
When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, That an Angel came and called my name and took me by the hand. When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart; For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your hearts. Our God has built a mansion, where His children will abide. Free from pain and sorrow, forever at His side. Final Resting Place
King Memorial Park Baltimore, MD 21244 Pallbearers Family & Friends Acknowledgments
We, the family of the late Mary Holmes , gratefully acknowledge the many kind and beautiful expressions of sympathy and love shown during our time of bereavement. Services of Comfort Entrusted to ylie Funeral Homes, P.A.
701 N. Mount Street Baltimore, Maryland 21217 (410) 462-4070
9200 Liberty Road Randallstown, Maryland 21133 (410) 655-9200
We invite you to sign the guest book at www.wyliefh.com
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