Ralph E. Holmes

Ralph Edward Holmes, 83, of Wrightsville, Georgia, passed away Friday, December 22, 2017 at Augusta University Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia following an extended illness. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at the First Christian Church in Wrightsville. Visitation will be at 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the church before the service. Graveside service will follow at Westview Cemetery. . Mr. Holmes was born in Laurens County, Georgia to the late Emory S. and Ethel Whitfield Holmes on July 20, 1934. He attended Wilkes School. In 1953, he began serving as a paratrooper in the United States Army at Fort Benning, GA and Fort Bragg, NC. He attended stenography school at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana in 1955. He was honorably discharged in 1961. He also completed Basic Rescue training from the Department of Civil Defense in August 1964. Following his years of service in the US Army, Mr. Holmes started working at the Wrightsville Post Office in October 1962. He was appointed Postmaster in 1983, serving in this role until his retirement in 2004. In 1963, he began his 25 years of service as a Woodman of the World field representative, fulfilling the role of President of the local W.O.W. camp, as well. Mr. Holmes was a member of the First Christian Church of Wrightsville, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Church Treasurer, Board Member, Trustee, and Deacon. During his lifetime, he served in various roles within the Wrightsville community, such as City Councilman for 8 years, Band Booster President, Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce Better Hometown Committee, and member of the American Legion, where he received the Legionnaire of the Year Award in 1969. Mr. Holmes enjoyed his many years of service and dedication to others through the numerous positions he held throughout his life. On February 1, 1959, he married the love of his life, Medie Joiner. They were happily married for 58 years. He was the incredibly proud father of three children, all raised in Wrightsville, and the loving grandfather of four. In addition to his wife, Medie, Ralph is survived by two daughters, and one son: Ginger Cullens (George) of Harrison, GA and Sherry Tucker (Gregg) of Johns Island, SC, Christopher Edward Holmes of Wrightsville, GA, grandchildren: Genna Cullens of Windermere, FL, Geordan Cullens of Charleston, SC, Jake Tucker of Charleston, SC, Ean Tucker of Johns Island, SC, two sisters and one brother: Joyce Foskey of Rockledge, GA, Barbara Ann Calhoun of Ailey, GA, Gene Holmes of Dublin, GA and a host of nieces and nephews. As a devoted family man, he was forever faithful to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Restoration Fund of the First Christian Church of Wrightsville.