AUGUSTA, Ga. - Etta Priscilla Colvin Holmes died Sunday, June 10, 2012 at Brandon Wilde in Evans, Georgia. She was the eighth child born to Robert Lee and Nancy Jane Hogan Colvin at White Rock in Lincoln County on October 7, 1914. As a youth she accepted Christ as her savior at New Hope Baptist Church and was baptized by her great uncle, Dr. W. A. Hogan. She graduated from Lincolnton High School and Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, where she was the school's first president of student government. She was awarded her master's degree at Columbus College at the age of 60. She moved to Brandon Wilde on December 22, 1990 from Columbus, Georgia. There she worshiped at St. Luke's United Methodist Church and was a circle leader. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Augusta, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, and Delta Kappa Gamma Society. She first taught in Zebulon, Georgia and Porterdale, Georgia and then at Blanchard School in Columbus. Until recently, she was actively involved in bible study, Sunday school, and vesper services at Brandon Wilde. She was an avid bridge player. She was a gifted teacher and many credited her for their successful careers. She volunteered to work in the Brandon Wilde gift shop and to drive residents for appointments. She was also a tutor to an Evans Elementary student. She received twelve awards and eight honorary pins for her contributions to various civic, church and educational groups. Her expertise in teaching was praised by students who often shared stories with her of the role that she played in their successful careers. She lived in a house by the side of the road and was a friend to man. She was a winner and a loser. Her winsome personality created loyal friends wherever she lived. She lost the two most important people in her life who were her son, Bill, and husband Jimmy Holmes of 22 years. Her deep and abiding faith in Christ helped her to cope and caused her to become a stronger Christian lady. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, William Colvin Holmes, a still born brother, and brothers Branson Colvin and wife, Inez, Leyton Colvin and wife Addis, Broughton Colvin and wife Ruby, George Washington Colvin, J.R. Colvin and Curry Colvin, sisters Nell Colvin, Mary Ruth Colvin, Bertha Colvin Frowein and husband Fred, niece Jeanne Florence, and nephews Robert Lamb and Monty Wilson. She is survived by her sister, Martha Colvin Wynne, and husband John Thomas of Sardis, two sisters-in-law, Lois J. Colvin of Sandy Springs, Georgia, and Sara M. Colvin of Lincolnton, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. At her request, her body has been donated to the Medical College of Georgia. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 13, 2012 in the Georgia Room at Brandon Wilde in Evans. The Reverend Mike Riddle will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Christmas staff and employee fund at Brandon Wilde, the Alzheimer's Association , New Hope Baptist Church, Lincolnton, Georgia or a charity of your choice . The family appreciates the loving care given to her by staff and friends at Brandon Wilde.
Published in The Augusta Chronicle on June 12, 2012