Ralph Edwin Holmes, Jr., son of the late Ralph Holmes, Sr. and Susie Holmes, was born on August 3, 1954 in Essex County, Virginia. On Thursday, December 18, 2014, the gates of Heaven were once again opened and Ralph took flight into his Heavenly home. He was preceded in death by his parents.

At an early age, Ralph accepted Christ as his personal Savior and joined Ebenezer Baptist Church. He remained a member until his death.

Ralph attended the Essex County Public Schools and later served in the United States Army. In his earlier years, he was employed by Washington Gas Company in Washington, DC. At the time of his death, he was employed at Fort A. P. Hill in Bowling Green, Virginia as a Maintenance Mechanic.

Ralph was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to all that knew him. He was affectionately known as "Jr. Bug", "Hometown", and "Homie" to his family and as "J.R." to his co-workers and friends at Fort A. P. Hill. He loved to fish, hunt and played softball in his earlier years.

Cherishing his life and keeping his memory alive in their hearts are his daughter, Avontay Myers and her mother, Marilyn Myers; grandsons, Damien, Jr. and Jameer Stevens; sisters, Gail Wallace, Donna Holmes, Jacqueline Johnson, Seneca Rollins, and Francine Rollins; brother, Strephon Rollins; nieces, Dora Ashlock (Eric), Rolanda Wallace-Taylor (Kelvin), Kyneasha and Alexus Rollins; nephews, Kyjuan and jontae Rollins; aunts, Louise Hickman and Ida Pierce; aunt-in-law, Louise Holmes; great-nieces, Quandra Holmes, Kwanshala Johnson, Kalyce Taylor,MaKayla Rollins; great nephews, Ashton Ashlock and Marley Rollins; great-great nephew, Cayden Holmes; special cousins. Sylvia Harper, Donald Hickman, Major Hickman, and Larry Ferguson; special friends, Florence Byrd, Earl Garnett, David Woolfolk, Timmy Jett and his supervisor Randal Robillard, all who played a major role in supporting him during his illness. His best friend and riding partner, Tank, his friends, Jack Russell and David Woolfolk and a host of other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 26th from 12 noon to 8 PM at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 3207 Quarter Hill Road, Caret, VA 22436. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM and also one hour before the service.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 1 PM, Saturday, December 27th at Ebenezer Baptist Church with Rev. Irving L. Woolfolk, Jr. delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors.

Services of Comfort Entrusted to: C.W. Edwards Funeral Home, Inc., Bowling Green