Joseph "Joe" Smith Holmes, Sr.

Joseph Smith Holmes, Sr., age 90, of Olivia, NC passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at his home.  He was born in Harnett County, NC on February 19, 1934 to the late Thomas Nickels Holmes, Sr. and Lillian Puckett Holmes.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers and their spouses – TN Holmes (Alda) of Fayetteville, NC; Stephen Holmes (Sue) of Brunswick, GA; and Lotes Holmes (Ima) of Lillington, NC.

 Joe is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Shirley Nan Womack Holmes; his daughter, Nancy Genene Holmes; his son, Joseph Smith Holmes, Jr. and two beloved granddaughters, Logan McNeill Holmes and Lexi Nan Holmes.

Joe loved all sports and was a County All-Star basketball player in high school. He served in the US Army in Japan for two years during the Korean Conflict and then attended Pfeiffer University on the G.I.Bill, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration.  He and Shirley married in 1964, built a home on the family farm, and raised their two children—Nancy and Joey.

Joe was a life-long member of Barbecue Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon, Elder, and Elder Emeritus; he had a wonderful tenor voice and loved singing in the choir.  He was active in the Democratic Party and served on many local committees--from helping to design the new courthouse in Lillington, to establishing Western Harnett High School and the Western Harnett Industrial Park, to serving on the Benhaven, Western Middle, and WHHS Advisory Boards, where he helped pass out diplomas for more than 20 years. 

Joe retired from General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) with 31 years of service as a Field Rep and Credit Representative.

Simply put, Joe believed in always doing what was right. Like his father before him, he never said a bad word about people and loved his church, his community, and his family.  After suffering a stroke in 2019 that ended his grass-cutting days, Joe continued to model grace and dignity.  No matter what, there was never a conversation where he couldn’t work in how proud he was of Nancy and Joey.  He was also very proud of his granddaughters, Logan and Lexi—and to them, he was their beloved PoppaDaddy.

The family will receive friends Sunday, June 23, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be Monday, June 24th at 11:00 AM at Barbecue Presbyterian Church with Rev. Meg Dudley and Mr. Bucky Holmes officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Barbecue Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 124 Barbecue Church Road, Sanford, NC 27332.

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