Mr. Raymond Eugene Holmes

Mr. Raymond Eugene Holmes, 70, transitioned on Monday, May 8, 2023, at his residence in Pontotoc, MS.

Raymond Eugene Holmes was born February 21, 1953 in Rahway, New Jersey to Chester and Virginia Holmes. He was the second of seven children.

Raymond began a career in professional boxing in his teenage years, headed for the Olympics. During this time he started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. As he learned valuable truths he turned down his career in boxing and dedicated his life to Jehovah. He was baptized in 1971.

At the age of 18 he moved to Ozark, Alabama to serve where the need was greater. Shortly thereafter he accepted an invitation to serve at Bethel, the headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, in New York. There he worked in the printery department for 3 years.

In 1976 he moved to Mississippi where he met, fell in love with, and married the love of his life, Nancy Ann Mabry. He then became father to two beautiful children, Jonathan and Tabitha. Raymond and Nancy were happily married for over 46 years.

He diligently supported his family working as a lab technician at Tecumseh Products Company in Verona, MS until retirement. He then spent the remainder of his secular career at North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo.

Raymond was a lover of music and exercise. He valued every moment spent with his grandbabies and they enjoyed him more. Above all other things, he loved and was well known for his ministry of teaching others about Jehovah.

On the morning of May 8th, 2023, Raymond passed away at his home at the age of 70.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife Nancy Holmes of Pontotoc, MS, a precious daughter Tabitha Hall (Elliott), three wonderful grandchildren, Benjamin Jonathan, Ella Margaret, and Elizabeth Ann all of Pontotoc, MS; four siblings, Cheryl Lynn Holmes of Raeford, NC, Gerald David Holmes of Jersey City, NJ, Jackie of Rahway, NJ and Marcel of Puerto Rico, Uncle Sampson Brown (Gloria) Edison, NJ, Aunt Barbara Jean Gause (Earnest) Conley GA, Uncle Nathaniel Brown (Lillian) Jackson, NJ, Aunt Dorothy Brown-Clay (Michael), Piscataway, NJ, Uncle Glyn Brown (Zandra) Someset, NJ, Uncle Bobby Holmes, a Special Aunt Avadell James, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Raymond was preceded in death by his only son Jonathan Ray Holmes, his parents Chester and Virginia Holmes, his grandparents James and Ida Mae Brown, and two brothers Chester Holmes Jr. and Harold Holmes.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Serenity Funeral Home Chapel, 248 Highway 15 South, Pontotoc, MS  38863.

Burial will take place on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 4:30 p.m., at Verona City Cemetery, Verona, MS 38879.

Services will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 112 Old Airport Road S., Pontotoc, MS  38863.

Arrangements entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home of Pontotoc, MS.

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