Alvin Holmes

Rev. Alvin Lane Holmes, age 77, of Richlands, Virginia passed from this life to eternal life, Friday, January 23rd, 2004 at his home following a lengthy illness. He was born in Seaboard, Virginia and was a son of the late Vick and Margaret Lawson Holmes. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Marshall Randalph Holmes,another son, Tony Michael Holmes, four brothers, Willy, Arvil, Thedford, and Robert Holmes, also, two sisters, Carrie Helton and Mary Puckett. He was the last surviving member of his generation. He gave his heart to the Lord in 1958 and was baptized in Jesus'name in 1959. He founded the United Pentecostal Church in Richlands in 1966, where he was currently serving as Senior Pastor, and the First Apostolic Christian School in 1979. He founded the United Pentecostal Church of Saltville, Virginia in 1990. He was an ordained minister of the United Pentecostal Church International and had served on the Virginia District Board as a Presbyter for 35 years. He was a World War II Veteran of the United States Navy, serving from 1943-1946. He served in all six theaters of the War aboard the U. S. S. Wooniski. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean five times and the Pacific twice during his military service. He was awarded five ribbons, five medals, and four stars. Mr. Holmes was President and Co-owner of V. H. Holmes Salvage Company, a family business started by his father sixty-five years ago. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Survivors are: His Wife of fifty-three years, Mrs. Betty Burress Holmes One daughter, Patricia and husband, Farley Christian, Jr. of Richlands, Virginia Two Sons: Jonathan Holmes and wife, Melanie of Richlands, Virginia Anthony Holmes of Richlands, Virginia Foster Daughter, Robin Christian and husband, Lonnie of Leesburg, Virginia Seven Granddaughters: Evangeline Barnhart, Shenandoah Walraven, Tammy Bouton, Micah Holmes, Hannah Christian, Ariana Holmes, and Aleah Holmes. One Grandson, Jostin Holmes Five Great Grandchildren, and three sisters-in-law, Loyale Holmes of Hampton, Virginia, Martha Holmes of Richlands, Virginia, and Rebecca Holmes of Galax, Virginia. He is also survived by his church family. A celebration of life for Rev. Alvin Holmes will be conducted Monday at 2:00 p.m. at the United Pentecostal Church in Richlands, Virginia with Rev. James Kelly of Spottslyvania, Virginia and Rev. Robert Hall of Chesapeake, Virginia officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Virginia. Pallbearers will be: Richard Holmes, Ronnie Holmes, Bill Holmes, Robert Holmes, Willie Newberry, and Junior Boyd. Honorary Pallbearers will be the United Pentecostal Church International Virginia District Board Members and Virginia District Section Six Pastors. Members of the Casey-Shortt VFW Post #9640 of Richlands, Virginia and Disabled American Veterans Tazewell Chapter #31 will conduct military graveside rites. Friends may call at the United Pentecostal Church in Richlands after 6:00 p.m. Saturday with visitation continuing on Sunday. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Alvin Holmes

February 17, 1926 - January 23, 2004