HOLMES, COLBERT JR. (AGE 89) OF ACCOKEEK, MARYLAND

Colbert Holmes, Jr. was born on May 15, 1931, in Washington, D.C., to Colbert and Helen (Frenzley) Holmes. He was the third of seven children born to this union. Colbert was affectionately called "Junior." He was educated in the D.C. public school system and as he was always a self-starter, he went to work at age 15 in a neighborhood grocery store.

In 1954, Colbert and Estelle Lewis were married in Charles County, Maryland. They were the proud parents of two children, Linda Gail Holmes and William (Bill) Henry Holmes, II. They were also the adoptive parents of Wanda Holmes. Bill predeceased his father in March 2019. Colbert played a significant role in the rearing of his grandsons and his great grandsons. "Granddaddy" was an outstanding example and role model, and he felt blessed that God had spared him to see them grow and become grown. "Unk" was also dearly loved and cherished by his nieces and especially his nephews who have many stories about his positive influence in their lives, not just as boys, but as the men and fathers he helped them grow up to be. "Mr. Holmes/Deac" will also be remembered by the young people he touched in his neighborhood, community and church. He was even a Boy Scout leader! Colbert became the Holmes family patriarch in his twenties. This was not always a welcomed role for him; but he always filled it to the best of his ability. He was an important part of many lives, and many lives were made better because of him. HE MADE A DIFFERENCE!

Colbert had an illustrious career, both in the private and Federal sectors. For many years, he distinguished himself as Office Manager at the Ace Federal Recording Company. This job afforded him the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States. He also worked at the Indian Head Propellant Plant. The job that made him most proud was serving with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a Federal policeman where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant before he retired. His exemplary service with the CIA led to his post-retirement position with a CIA-contracted security agency.

Colbert was a man of God and loved working in the church. He was as active member of the Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The late Pastor Rodney L. Young wasn't just his Pastor, he and Colbert were dear friends. Before his alliance with Good Shepherd, he was ordained as a Deacon at Jordan Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor William Smith.  He served at Good Shepherd as Chairman of the Deacon Board until he was recently named Deacon Emeritus.

Colbert was extremely patriotic and was proud that, he, like his father, served as Corporal in the United States Army. He served in Frankfurt, Germany.

Mr. Holmes was predeceased by his parents, son (William Henry Holmes II),  brother (William Henry Holmes, I), sisters (Hortense and Carole}, and a godson, Warren Lewis Taylor, Sr. He was also predeceased by a beloved niece, Cheryl Holmes.

He leaves his devoted and beloved wife of almost 66 years, Estelle Lewis Holmes; daughters Linda Holmes Pinckney and Wanda Holmes; grandsons Matthew "Duke" and Charles "Chuck" Pinckney; Nadera and Omar; great grandchildren, Matthew, II, Micah, Leyla, and Mathias; siblings Rose Elaine, Eugene and Edna (Red); goddaughter/niece June Jackson; godson/nephew Dwaine Ross; other nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, including devoted sister and brother-in-law Conrad and Mary Ann Young, brother-in-law, Van Dyke Lewis; and his close friend, Trustee Sedrick Cobey.

On Thursday, June 11, 2020 in Glen Burnie, Maryland, Colbert Holmes, Jr. peacefully transitioned to eternal life.

His Viewing will be, 9:00 am, until time of Service, 11:00 am, Saturday, June 20 2020 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A.  Interment, 1:00 pm, July 8, 2020, Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, Maryland 20623.