Edris Holice Holmes

Edris "Ed" Holice Holmes, Jr., lovingly known to his siblings as "Sonny" was born on August 24, 1941 in Natchez, Mississippi to Edris Holice Holmes, Sr. and Sarah Nevada Evans.

Edris was one of seven siblings: Margie Nell McNealy (deceased), Jacqueline Campbell (Natchez, MS), Sherrye (Holmes) Carey (Memphis, TN), Charles O. Campbell (Natchez, MS), James Campbell, Jr. (Natchez, MS), Clyde M. Campbell (Walnut Grove, MS), Derrick Holmes (Dallas, TX).

Edris grew up in Natchez, Mississippi. In 1959 he graduated from Sadie V. Thompson High School and went on to attend and graduate from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1963. Edris obtained his Masters in Education from Cleveland State University.

Edris participated in various clubs and organizations which included the Optimist Club, Tennis Club, Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center (Black-owned and led community service organization), and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Theta Chapter).

Edris married Jacqueline L. (Barnes) Holmes in 1963 and had 2 children: Celena Ray (Holmes) Smith and Edris Craig Holmes. Edris later married Antoinette (Mason) Holmes in 1978 and adopted her son, Orlando Mason, as his own. After Ann passed away in 2014, Sherry Wingfield remained his faithful companion until Edris left this life.

As an adult, Edris was employed for a brief moment at Lipton Soup Company until he found his love and passion for teaching where he taught Chemistry, Biology, and Physics for Cleveland Public Schools and Warrensville Heights High School until his retirement.

Edris drew his final breath from cardiac arrest on June 28th, 2024. May his remaining loved ones know that he passed away painlessly.

Edris is preceded in death by his father, Edris Holice Homes, Sr.; mother, Sarah Nevada Campbell; and his wife, Antoinette Holmes, and sister, Margie Nell McNealy.

His memory will be retained by his long term companion, Sherry Wingfield; his children - Orlando Mason (son), Julie Mason (spouse) and Cameron Mason (grandson); Celena Smith (daughter), Marcel, Kyle and Mira Smith (grandchildren) and Craig Holmes (son); sisters, Sherry Carey and Jacqueline Campbell; brothers Charles O. Campbell, James Campbell, Jr., Clyde M. Campbell, and Derrick Holmes; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and extended family.