Mother Ernestine Marietha Holmes

Mother Ernestine Holmes was born on March 20, 1944, in Columbia, South Carolina, to the late Mr. Grover and Dorothy Nelson, Sr. 

Mother Holmes attended the public schools of Richland County and graduated from C.A. Johnson High School.  She was a cosmetologist for over 30 years and worked in food services for Richland County School District One and the University of South Carolina Russell House as a supervisor.  She also served as a foster parent for the South Carolina Department of Social Services for over 30 years.

As a foster parent, Mother Holmes cared for many children and nurtured them as if they were her very own. She welcomed everyone into her home with open arms, a warm smile, and a laugh like no other.  Her passion was making sure every child that came into her life was loved.  Her love of nurturing was complimented by her green thumb as she enjoyed planting flowers.  Azaleas were her favorite.

Mother Holmes was a faithful member of Faith Tabernacle Way of the Cross Church for over 30 years.  She was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and served under the leadership of the Late Bishop Herford M. Smith and later under the leadership of District Elder Johnathan M. Mintz.  She was an enthusiastic member of both the Missionary Department and the Missionary Choir.

Mother Holmes really enjoyed cooking!  A few of her homemade specialty desserts included banana pudding, her deliciously famous cinnamon rolls, and peach cobbler.  Her hot dog chili was also a must have.  She loved her family and seeing everyone together gave her joy, so much so that she started hosting an annual Christmas breakfast, which everyone looked forward to. All you had to do was show up and eat as much as you wanted on Christmas morning.

Mother Holmes was preceded in death by her parents; her grandmother, Marie Kennedy; and one sister, Peggy Nelson.

Mother Holmes leaves to cherish her fond and precious memories: her son, Carlos (Tatrina) White; four daughters, Vonda White, Tawanda Holmes, Tequila (Wayne) Jones, and Sheila Ashley (foster daughter) all of Columbia, SC; five sisters, Linda (Willie) Johnson, Brenda (Roger) Brasley, Bonita O’Neal, Beatrice Nelson, all of Columbia, SC, and Janice Burton of Hoover, AL; two brothers, Grover (Almenia) Nelson, Jr. of Sacramento, CA, and Robert Nelson of Columbia, SC; thirteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two uncles, Larry Days and Joseph Ellison, Sr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who will all miss her dearly.

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