Tributes

BENJAMIN ARTHUR HOLMES, SR., son of the late Bennie and Frances Holmes, was born December 20, 1929 in Baltimore, MD. He departed this life on February 19. 2021. Ben was the oldest of three children. He grew up in a section named Arlington (now known as Pimlico, MD). In this era of racial segregation there were many small islands of blacks surrounded by white communities. SCHOOLING The first school that Ben attended was a private primary school called Mrs. Vergie’s School. Shortly after reaching the first grade, Baltimore City constructed an elementary school for “colored” children. Ben graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1948. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Morgan State College (University) in 1953. This was followed by a MSW from Howard University in Washington, D.C. And a PostMaster’s Degree in Administration from the University of MD School of Social Work. EMPLOYMENT Ben has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. He went into partnership and purchased a gasoline service station in 1952 and operated it until he was called to military service. During this period there were only two or three black station owners Baltimore. After being discharged Ben was employed as a caseworker in the Baltimore City Department of Social Services in 1954. He rose rapidly through the ranks becoming supervisor, and District Supervisor. During this period there was a great increase in the need for cash assistance programs and less of a need for social services program. As a result, Ben led the development of a new policy separating the two components, income and services. This change required the development/employment of a different type of staff, and he ended up with a staff of over one hundred employees. Ben later transferred to the Maryland State Office of Social Services; becoming a Director of Policy; and later Chief of the Division of Quality Control. Several of the units under his direction consisted of more than one hundred employees. This gave Ben an opportunity to mentor and counsel many employees. Ben was also talented in repairing and rehabbing real property. He was certified by the State of Maryland as a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. Ben purchased several properties in need of repairs that he rehabbed and sold or rented. His efforts enabled many people to buy or rent homes that they would not have been able to afford. Ben was one of Obituary Order of Service the earliest real estate investors to rent to low-income families in Baltimore City under the Section 8 Housing Program. The Mayor of Baltimore visited one of his units and met with His tenant. LOVE AND MARRIAGES Ben married Sylvia Dean-Holmes in 1955. From this union came Kathy Holmes-Goins, Benjamin Arthur Holmes Jr. and Rita Holmes. This union was dissolved in 1975. Ben and Patricia Holmes were married from 1979- 1984 and the marriage was dissolved. Ben then married Joyce Lomax Holmes on August 8, 1988. They enjoyed traveling and have visited Europe, Panama, Argentina, Thailand, California, The Grand Canyon, Mexico, Canada, Greece, Egypt, and Florida. FRATERNITY Ben joined the Beta Sigma Tau Fraternity in 1952. He served in several leadership positions with the fraternity for many years. Ben chaired the annual fundraising efforts for many years and was responsible for leading the unit in providing over twenty thousand dollars in scholarship assistance to local college students. EPWORTH UNITED METHODIST CHAPEL Ben joined Epworth UMC in 1997. He became very active with the United Methodist Men serving as President and Secretary of the organization. Ben was also known as the person who raised the most funds during the annual Men’s Day for over 10 years. He always loved to make repairs and as a result, he made many repairs to church property. His skills became essential to his Church and he was invited to become a member of the Board of Trustees. Ben was immensely proud of the work in landscaping that he and others had done. Part of the landscaping includes a circle in front of the sanctuary that was beautifully complete with a bronze monument recognizing those members that have worked so diligently on the landscaping projects. Ben loved sports and maintained season tickets to the Baltimore Ravens for many years. He attended the Baltimore Colts and the Baltimore Orioles games. Ben leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife, Joyce Lomax Holmes; two daughters, Rita Holmes and Kathy Holmes-Goins; one stepdaughter, Karen Lomax; one proud son-in-Iaw, Keith Goins; sister, Nancy M. Saul; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; other friends and relatives. His son, Benjamin Arthur Holmes Jr. preceded him in death.

Tributes

Benjamin Arthur Holmes Sr.

December 20, 1929 - February 19, 2021