Dennis Holmes

Walk In
Friday, August 21
2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Sanders Funeral Home Chapel
806 E Market St
Smithfield, NC 27577

Visitation
Saturday, August 22
12:30 PM to 1:00 PM
St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
218 S 2nd St,
Smithfield, NC


Funeral Service
Saturday, August 22
1:00 PM
St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
218 S 2nd St,
Smithfield, NC


Obituary of Dennis Louis Holmes
Dennis Louis Holmes was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 11, 1956 to the union of Sarah McDaniel Yard and Frankie Louis Holmes.
Dennis received his formal education in the Public School System of New York during the time of integration. He began his education at P.S. 125 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, later bused to P.S. 222 in Flatbush, attending Marine Park Junior High School and finally graduating from James Madison High School also in Flatbush.
While at James Madison, Dennis was given an internship, working in accounting at the New York Stock Exchange. Because of his charisma, he was later offered a full-time position, working for close to ten years after graduating High School. He attended Community College while employed and enjoyed the life of New York City working and living. He even once danced with the Alvin Ally Dance Troupe.
Dennis later moved to Petersburg, Virginia, attending college there and began his new adventure in the south working as a Certified Nursing Assistant. He would later use his skills as a CNA when he moved to Smithfield, North Carolina, ironically working at Brookhaven/Barbour Court Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility which would be his place of care at the end of his life.
Relocating to be near his dear mother, Dennis moved to Smithfield, North Carolina in the late '80''s and began assisting in the non-profit work of The Family Life Center. He would later become the Executive Director of the Center touching the lives of hundreds of youth and adults in the community. He loved being innovative, dreaming dreams, creating ideas and developing programs to help enhance people's lives. He loved, the arts, he loved to dance, and he loved life. Indeed he lived life to its fullest.
Dennis Louis Holmes departed this realm on Sunday, August 16th.at the Hospice House. He was preceded in death by his partner Walter Faulk, his beloved step-father, Samuel Yard of Smithfield, his grandparents, James and Callie McDaniel of Smithfield and Herbert and Rosadale Holmes also of Smithfield. He leaves to cherish his memories, his beloved mother Sarah McDaniel Yard (Smithfield, NC) and his father Frankie Louis Holmes (Victoria, Virginia; surrogate father Melvin Hooks and his wife Rebecca (Smithfield, NC) and his step-mother Flora Holmes (Queens, NY). He also leaves to honor his life his adopted son, Stanley Sherrod of Smithfield, NC; two sisters: The Rev. Dr. Beverly Holmes Wallace of Smithfield, NC and Karen Rawlings of Brooklyn, New York; three brothers: William Credle (Kia) of Covington, Georgia; Robert Cannon (Celeste) of South Carolina; Frankie Holmes, Jr. (Sherri) of New Windsor, New York; a special friend Carol Sherrod and a host of nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.


Sometimes it's hard to understand why some things have to be.
But in God's wisdom, God has planned beyond our power to see.
So looking back in tenderness along the path we trod.
We cherish the years we had with you and leave the rest to God.