Funeral services for Reverend Ernest “Jackie” Holmes, Jr., of Dublin, will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020 at 11 AM at the graveside in the Stanley Cemetery, Stanley Cemetery Road in Dublin. Reverend Winifred McCloud will deliver the eulogy. Reverend Holmes was born on January 5, 1948, to the late Ernest Holmes, Sr. and Annie P. Brown Holmes. He was known as a God-fearing, kind, intelligent man who inspired people with his faith and hope in God. Reverend Holmes was serious about his relationship with the Lord, and through his ministry led many others to know the love of Jesus. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, minister, and friend. He also loved being outdoors and fishing. He often spoke of his early life as he grew up on the Old Toomsboro Road. At an early age, he joined the Holly Grove Baptist Church where he became a member of the choir, usher, and the Deacon Board Ministries. He was a graduate of Millville High School. In 1966, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. During his tour of duty in the Vietnam War, he was wounded twice; for his valor he received the Purple Heart. Reverend Holmes was a highly respected honorably discharged veteran of the USMC. After his military service, he worked for the Dublin Police Department; after his time on the police force, he went to work for the Georgia Department of Corrections for over 20 years where he retired. After retiring from the State of Georgia Corrections he worked for a few years at Middle Georgia College Dublin Center location. Also, during his service, on April 5, 1969, he married his high school sweetheart, Claudia Lowther. To their union, three children were born, Ernest D., Jacquelyn, and Nurka Holmes. Reverend Holmes made the choice to join his wife at Spring Hill Baptist Church under the pastor ship of Reverend Winfred McCloud where he remained a dedicated member. Reverend Holmes believed in the power of education. He attended Middle Georgia College and Bryant Theological Seminary. He was an avid teacher who loved to study his scriptures endlessly. One of his greatest traits was his love for children and people in general. He enjoyed visiting with the children at his wife’s daycare facility and reading/telling them Bible stories. Reverend Holmes was indeed part of the village that it takes to raise children. In 1995, then Deacon Holmes, successfully presented his initial sermon for the Ministry at the Springhill Baptist Church. In October 1998, he was called to Pastor the William Grove Baptist Church in Dublin. A few years later, he was called to Pastor the Mount Annis Baptist Church in Eastman. He served these churches faithfully fulfilling his duties until his health began to decline. Both churches added greatly to their membership and made improvements to their building foundations during his ministry. In the early hours on Friday, August 14, 2020, he answered the Lord’s call from his labor to reward. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Holmes, Sr. and Annie P. Brown Holmes; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Thomas L. and Ruby L. Lowther; four siblings, Mary Alice Holmes, Robert Holmes, Ronnie Holmes and Anthony Holmes; two brothers-in-law, Thomas L. Lowther, Jr. and Larry A. Lowther. To continue his inspirational legacy he leaves his wife of fifty-one years, Claudia Holmes; children, Ernest D. Holmes, Jacquelyn Holmes and Nurka (Eugene) Holmes-Blake; two granddaughters, Eniyah and Laila Blake all of Dublin; siblings, Annie Holmes and Willie L. Holmes both of Dublin, Artis Holmes of Oklahoma City, OK; sisters-in-law, Julia Simmons, Barbara Jean (Eldred) Swayne and Irma Jean Lowther of Columbus; a host of aunts and uncles including Thomas E. Holmes and Willie Roy Whipple; nieces, nephews, loyal friends including Curtis and Brenda Smith, Darryl Carter, Marvin and Irish Northcutt, Donald and Chynell Way, Quinn and Gail Bonner and Mother Henrietta Hall and family; Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church, William Grove Baptist Church, Mount Annis Baptist Church and the band of members and all others who lives were touched by Reverend Ernest Holmes, Jr. Please post condolence at ServicesByDudley.com. Services by Dudley Funeral Home of Dublin.