Altus Monroe Holmes, 93, of Brookhaven, MS, passed away peacefully at St. Dominic's Hospital on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. He was born on January 26, 1928, to the late Ellen and Victor Holmes in Lexie, MS.
Mr. Holmes graduated from Lexie High School in 1946 and Mississippi State in 1958. He was a forester and a member of First Baptist Church in Brookhaven, serving as a lifetime deacon. He was also a multi-decade member of the Brookhaven Exchange Club, receiving the John L. Leary Memorial Award for service.
Preceding him in his death were his parents, Ellen Newman Holmes and Victor Monroe Holmes; his siblings, Joe Holmes, Willene Holmes Schwamkrug, and Eldon Holmes; and his grandparents.
Mr. Holmes, a Navy WWII veteran, loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, is survived by his wife, Sue Bullock Holmes; his daughter, Lynne Holmes Lofton; his son, Brent Holmes; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Duncan.
Al Holmes, known as "Granddaddy" to his grandchildren, served on a Naval ship in the mailroom during WWII, delivering mail to all service members in the fleet. Following his service during WWII, he returned to Walthall County and married the love of his life, Sue Bullock, on July 22, 1951.
He moved to Starkville with his family to complete his forestry degree at Mississippi State. They lived in Starkville for several years with his two young children, and eventually moved to Brookhaven in 1960, working with the Mississippi Forestry Commission. He passed on his love for the outdoors to his children and grandchildren, and one of his grandchildren's fondest memories were camping trips with their grandparents across various Mississippi state parks.
Mr. Holmes cherished being a father, grandfather, and wise, humble mentor. Even though his nature was quiet and reserved, his backyard pool was a central hub of activity during the prime of his grandfatherhood, and he enjoyed hosting yearly Easter Egg Hunts in his front yard. He loved animals, and always had a dog by his side – including Kim, Cholly, Harry, Hobo, Sassy, Lizzy, Jake, and Duncan. In retirement, Al embraced art and began painting, leaving his friends and family with a variety of still life, landscape, and portrait paintings that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
Al was a friend to all who knew him. Those left to hold his memory dear are his wife, Sue Holmes; daughter, Lynne Lofton (Bill); son, Brent Holmes (Phyllis); grandson Will (Grace Anne); granddaughter Lydia; grandson Lane (Anna); grandson David (Liz); grandson Kevin; great- granddaughter Priscilla; great-granddaughter Karis; great-granddaughter Liesl; great-grandson Connor; and great-grandson Sam.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 31, from 9 - 10:30 am at Riverwood Family Funeral Service, and the funeral will follow at 10:30 am at the same location.
