Lesley Wardell Holmes

On Monday, May 23, 2016, our Heavenly Father sent his angels to Fort Washington Hospital, to bring home his beloved child, Lesley Wardell Holmes.

Lesley was born and raised in Hustle, Virginia in Essex County. He was the youngest of 12 children born to the late Robert Morris and Ida Ross Holmes. Lesley attended the Hustle School during his elementary years. For middle school he attended John Montague Academy. After successful completion, he attended and graduated from Rappahannock Industrial Academy. After graduating from high school he served two years in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon completing his tour of duty he enrolled at Bowie Teacher's College (now Bowie State University), where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Education. While at Bowie, he met Evelyn Moorman and on February 21, 1957, he married his beloved, Evelyn, who proceeded him in death after 54 years of marriage. To this union, three children were born; Renee, Roderick (deceased), and Rawn. Lesley later reenrolled at Bowie State University, where he earned a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling. During his career in education, he worked as an English teacher, Reading teacher, and Counselor. After over 30 years of dedicated work in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Lesley retired in 1990.

He joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church at an early age. Later on, when he relocated to Bowie, MD, he joined Parker Memorial Baptist Church, where he served faithfully as Deacon Emeritus, Sunday School Teacher, and Superintendent of Sunday School. Upon relocating to Hustle, VA, Lesley joined Jerusalem Baptist Church, where he avidly taught Bible classes. After moving to Maryland he joined Kettering Baptist Church.

Lesley was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend. All who knew him knew his active spirit which made it so that he could not stay in one place for too long. He always had a project to work on, some planned, others where spur of the moment. He happily included all willing family members and friends in these projects. Lesley enjoyed having company at his house where he gladly entertained his guests through the use of his unique humor. He was very passionate about studying the Bible and enjoyed Bible study and discussion.

He leaves to cherish his memories, a daughter, Renee Willis of Upper Marlboro, MD; one son, Rawn Holmes (Meta) of Severn, MD; grandchildren, Winfred (Jessica), Lesley, April (Bernard), Ebony, Rawn, Patrick (Dedra), Shanelle, Shiesha, and Jehlani; great-grandchildren, Bernard Meade, Jr., Kameron Henry, Akira Henry, Aadyn Holmes, Khaleb Johnson, Lelia James; sisters Mary Gray of Hustle, VA and Virginia Millier of Washington, DC; sister-in-law, Nellie Washington of Owings Mills, MD, Jacquelyn Downing of Dale City, VA and Tracy Downing of Baltimore, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.




Funeral Home:
Cedell Brooks Funeral Home
25662 A.P. Hill Blvd
Port Royal, VA
US 22535