Carrie Rachel Holmes

Our beloved Carrie"Rachel"Holmes,78,of Richmond,departed this life,October 9,2012. She leaves to cherish her loving memory her husband,John Holmes,Sr.;two daughters,Carolyn Parker(Herbert) and Katrina Key(James);son,John Holmes,II;one granddaughter,Sharron Bowman;one step granddaughter,Shatondra Jnbaptiste;and one great grandson,Jahmai Lott;four sisters,Laura Washington,Josephine Braxton,Geneva Braxton(Milton)and Alma Chamberlain;brother,Charles Chamberlain;two sisters-in-law,Elsie Harding and Alice Coleman. She was showered with devoted nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. She was the ninth of twelve children born June 23,1934,to the late Claiborne and Anna Chamberlin. Educated in the King and Queen County School system she graduated from the first graduating class of Central High School 1952. After much convincing by an educator at her school she decided to pursue nursing. She enrolled and graduated from Medical College of Virginia's St. Phillips School of Nursing as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1955. Her firsthand accounts of working in the segregated part of the hospital were vivid to the end. She would remain with MCV her entire career. She started off in the Burn Unit,The Nelson Clinic,and lastly the Rehab Unit. She retired on October 1, 1994 but was asked to come back at least part time.She agreed. When she retired the second time it was with more than 40 years of service. She married John Thomas Holmes on May 28,1955. The two settled in Richmond and had the three children together. She played as large a role in the Holmes family as she did in her own. Her carrot cake would have as much value under their Christmas tree as any store bought gift. Not to be outdone her spaghetti salad is the thing of legends on the Chamberlain side. She joined the James River Chapter of the American Business Women Association which fosters networking business relationships for women and raises money for students going to college. She was awarded their title of Women of the Year in 1986. She served until the chapter dissolved in 2011. She was always one of their most active members. She would volunteer for anything that raised money for education as it shaped her future.With robust enthusiasm she was present for the Central High School Annual Scholarship Fundriser and Reunion until 2012. Education and voting were two things she put stock into faithfully. Rachel recently went as far as to complete the paperwork for her absentee ballot. Rachel was asked by the Reverend Joy Davis to become a Deconess at Wayland Baptist. She didn't take this responsibility lightly and responded with she would have to think about it. She purchased study guides at bookstores and researched the duties before humbly agreeing. She often organized and recruited for the Chamberlain and Roy Family Reunion.She mentioned recently that she hoped the younger generation would decide to keep it going in 2013. Katrina assured her there were whispers. Rachel took it upon herself to see to it that family business matters were resolved before her passing. She lived without bitterness or inviting confusion and chose to be an example of how to be a living testimony of faith. Even through her illness this past year she made sure to check on her nephew in the nursing home and to provide financial support to those in need. She loved to travel,garden and attend parties or family gatherings. Rachel had a way of nurturing whomever she came in contact with even if just briefly. Her own nieces and nephews feel the pain as much as her own children today. Whether they are her children's spouses.distant relatived,neighbor,or members of the congregation they each were acknowledged by her with some special relationship and all will remember how her smile made them feel. That is why the family decided that they would honor her and say thanks for all the things she did on their behalf. She was presented with certificates of appreciation and plaques from both the Chamberlain and Holme families. She cried because she was able to get her flowers while she was living. GO get your reward Momma,Well Done!

Tributes

Carrie Rachel Holmes

June 23, 1934 - October 9, 2012