Betty Beckham Holmes, age 96, died on February 1, 2024 at her home in Flowood Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Edmund Whitfield Holmes Jr.

Betty was born in Amory, Mississippi on November 15, 1927 to Thomas Hamilton and Effie Greenhill Beckham. Growing up in Amory, Betty was one of seven children.

She married the love of her life and husband for 50 years, Edmund "Ed" Whitfield Holmes, Jr., an attorney from Aberdeen, Mississippi, on November 25, 1951 at First Presbyterian Church in Amory, Mississippi. Ed later accepted God's call to Christian ministry, and they moved to Louisville, Kentucky where Ed attended seminary.

Following seminary, Betty and Ed moved to Ecru, Mississippi to pastor at their first church, where Betty played piano during services. Six years later, they moved to Miami, Florida, where Ed began his 30-year career as a chaplain for the Veterans Administration, which later brought them to Gulfport, Mississippi where they adored living for more than 30 years.

Her greatest joy was her family and rearing her four sons, Whit, David, Mark and Steve. She also cherished her seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

She was a devout Christian and active member of First Baptist Church, Gulfport, Mississippi where she taught Mission Friends with her dear friend, Sue Perry. She hosted numerous church youth gatherings at their home while her four sons were part of the First Baptist youth group.

For ten years, she worked as support staff for Migrant Education in Gulfport.

Her love of beautiful aesthetics in her home and garden brought tremendous joy to her family and all those who loved her. She loved retaining her family history and sharing stories of courage and fortitude.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Effie Beckham, her sisters Mary Fulton, Eleanor Welch, Jean McKee and her brothers Fred Beckham and Dick Beckham. She is survived by her brother Nelson Beckham of Sarasota, FL, her sons, Dr. Edmund Whitfield Holmes III and his wife Melissa of Benton, MS; David Holmes and his wife Kay of Brandon, MS; Mark Holmes and his wife Helen of Georgetown, TX; Stephen Holmes and his wife Cindy of Seagrove Beach, FL; her grandchildren, Daniel Holmes, Ben Holmes and his wife Kayla; Victoria Holmes, Emily Holmes and her husband, Clark; Caroline Holmes and William Holmes, and Ralston Kerley; her four great grandchildren, Avery Rose and Ellie Omega Kerley, William Thomas Hays, and June Elizabeth Holmes, who was born just weeks ago on January 10.

A celebration of Betty's life will be held at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on February 5th in Flowood. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM with the service following at 11:00 AM. Interment will be held at 3:30 PM at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Aberdeen, Mississippi.