Mrs. Holmes was the daughter of the late Warren Ellzey Ratliff and Mildred Elise Whitworth. She was a graduate of McComb High School and LSU. She was a registered medical technologist of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. She married Dr. Wendell Byron Holmes, on Nov. 5, 1944. She was a life member of the Junior Auxiliary and was the 1982 Azalea Ball Queen. She served as president of the Hughes PTA for two years. She was district director for two years and on the state board for four years. She was the second person in Pike County to be presented a life membership in the state PTA by her own school. As the Pike County chairman for the Christmas Seals campaign for two years, she won for the county the honor of outstanding county in the state. She was a member of the Crescite Club and held every office, including president from 1960-62. She also served as president of the McComb Garden Club, during which time the club won several state and two national awards. She was presented a life membership in the Garden Clubs of Mississippi. She was a member of the Mississippi Medical Auxiliary. She was on the State Medical Auxiliary Board for four years and served as secretary and vice-president. She was a charter member of McComb Assembly 162 Social Order of Beauceants. She was a member of Pink Ladies, American Legion Auxiliary, Mississippi Auxiliary for the Prevention of Blindness, the Mississippi Art Association, Pike County Arts Council and was president of the Flowers Lovers Club.

She was survived by her husband, Dr. Wendell Byron Holmes of McComb, MS; one son, Lane Holmes of Jackson, MS; two daughters, Delilah Holmes Boyd and husband Sam of Dallas, TX, and Llewellyn Holmes Coon and husband Billy of Summit, MS; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

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Name Joy Ratliff Holmes

Gender Female

Race White

Birth Date 19 Sep 1921

Birth Place McComb Pike, Mississippi

Death Date 19 Jan 2007

Father Warren E Ratliff

Mother Mildred E Whitworth

SSN xxxxxxxxx

Notes Jul 1963: Name listed as JOY RATLIFF HOLMES; 27 Jan 2007: Name listed as JOY R HOLMES