Pearl Murray Holmes, the oldest of seven children, was born to the late Lewis and Phyllis Reese Murray. She was the widow of Luther Holmes. She departed this life on Friday, June 1, 2018 at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital at 9:15am.

Pearl was raised in the church all of her life, and was a member of Wayman Chapel A.M.E. Church in Sumter, SC where she served with the Usher's  Ministry. She graduated from St. Michael High School in Sumter, SC in 1944.  Pearl continued her education at Girl's College where she studied nursing attendant by taking evening classeses. She received her diploma in 1946.

Pearl was full of energy and enjoyed many adventures of life.  She decided to relocate to the "big apple" New York City.  There she met the love of her life, Luther Holmes, a soldier from Brooklyn, NY.  They were united in holy matrimony.  Mr. Holmes preceded her in death at the Veteran Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.  After her husband's death, Pearl worked very hard taking care of other people as a nurse attendant all over the tri-state area of New York.

Pearl and her three children joined the Greater Abyssinian Baptist Church in Newark, NJ, where she was baptized and held many positions. Later, she joined the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights in Brooklyn, NY in 1975. Her tenure there caused her to have a deeper love for God. She became more involved in church as she was the President of the South Carolina Ministry and a member of the Missionary Board in addition to the Pastor's Aid Club and the gospel choir.

Pearl loved to cook.  She cooked for Pastor Clarence Norman Sr. and the church.  After the illness of her father and stepmother, Pearl moved back to Sumter, and took care of them until their deaths.

She joined Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church in 1986, and served faithfully with the Missionary Ministry, .Fellowship Choir, and the Pastor's Support Ministry.  Pearl cooked for the Pastor and church family.

Pearl, who was always eager for grasping more knowledge and education, went to school for floristry and became an entrepreneur in the florist industry.  She attended the Sumter Area Technical College where she received her certificate in Basic Floral Arrangements in Jun 1987 and advanced Floral Arrangement in June 1989.  She was the proud proprietor of Pearl Holmes Florist Shop in Sumter.  She received numerous awards and certificates.

Pearl was a true Christian, a child of God, a devoted and loyal mother, grandmother, and a true friend to all she encountered. Those who met or knew her took her as their mother. She was Mother Holmes to some and the majority affectionately called her "mommy," and her grandsons called her "chicken bone." She encouraged others to pray and put it all in God's hands and leave it there. When you were hungry, she always cooked a large selection of food to feed many. She took care of her family, friends, and whoever was sick and unable to get around. She took many to doctor's  appointments, hospital and anything else they may have needed.

Pearl will be greatly missed, but never forgotten in her family and friends hearts. She leaves to cherish precious memory, her three children; Jesse Sherman (Susan) Peterson of Sayreville, NJ, Mildred Reed of Sumter, SC and Melvin Marion (Hope) Reed of Blythewood, SC; two surviving siblings, Bernice E. David and Irvin Lee (Francine) Murray; two grandsons, Melvin Jevon Reed and Jordan Wilder Reed and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by siblings Richard, Willie Winter and Phyllis Murray.

Ms. Pearl will be placed in the church  at 10am for viewing until the hour of service.

Public Viewing will be held on Thursday June 7, 2018  from 2-6pm at Job's Mortuary.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday June 8, 2018 at 11am at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, Sumter with Pastor Marion Newton, Officiating

Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park.

Family will be receiving friends at the home, 1890 North St. Paul Church Road, Sumter, SC