Rosa Lee Holmes

The service for Ms. Holmes will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Holy Cross Altar Society” and sent to Holy Cross Catholic Church, c/o Yvonne Fisher, 2438 S. Alston Avenue, Durham, NC  27713.

Rosa Lee Holmes, 89, of Durham, North Carolina, departed this life on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Carver Rehabilitation & Living Center.

Born September 27, 1931 in Sanford, North Carolina, she was the eldest child of the late Robert Holmes, Sr. and Irene Wilcox Holmes.  After their untimely passing, Rosa and her siblings were raised by Ulyis Grant Marks and Lucy Ann Wilcox Marks (affectionately known as “Papa and Mama”). Upon graduating from Lee County Training School in Sanford, NC, Rosa moved to Chicago, IL to embark upon her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse at Mercy Hospital where she received her Licensed Practical Nurse certification from Chicago Public Schools.  She later moved to Durham to continue her nursing career in intensive care at Durham Regional Hospital, taking on private duty cases, nurturing and healing where needed.  She eventually obtained an Associate Degree in Nursing from Alamance Technical College in 1986. 

Rosa diligently labored in service to others and received recognition and awards from the National Council of Negro Women, Unity Village Community, Holy Cross Men’s Society, and Handicapped Encounter Christ (HEC) Group Association.  She also volunteered in her community at the Durham Regional Hospital LifeLine, the Community Soup Kitchen, and at the Catholic Social Ministries.

A devout Catholic, Rosa lovingly embraced her spiritual family at Holy Cross Catholic Church.  Her most cherished times were spent enjoying the church’s gospel choir, serving on the Ladies Altar Society, and on the Parish Outreach Committee where she spearheaded preparation of holiday food baskets for needy families and was instrumental in securing donations.  However, her true passion was baking her infamous “honeybun cakes” for anyone she thought might need a little something ‘yummy’ to brighten their day.     

Rosa was preceded in death by her only son, James W. Jamison and her brothers, Robert L. Holmes and Woodrow Harrington.  She will forever remain in the hearts of her daughter, Greta J. Reels (Ralphele) of Durham, NC; sisters, Mary H. Crutchfield of Durham, NC and Maryland Price of Siler City, NC; brother, Wesley L. Holmes (Eugenia) in Sanford, NC, sister-in-laws, Willie Mae Holmes and Ella Mae Harrington; daughter-in-law, Portia Jamison, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rosa Lee Holmes, please visit our floral store.