Obituary of Dorsey W. Holmes

Dorsey William Holmes beloved son of the late Sinclair Augustus Holmes and Lucille Nettie Green Holmes was born in King and Queen County Virginia on December 24, 1931. Dorsey peacefully passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. Dorsey was predeceased by his loving wife Naomi Joyce Lancaster Holmes, and his brothers Sinclair and Coleman Holmes. Dorsey grew up in Paulsboro New Jersey with his mother and father and his siblings Sinclair, Coleman, Anna, Thomas, and Janice. His family attended Second Baptist Church and that was where he was baptized. Dorsey attended the Paulsboro public school system for elementary school and he graduated from Paulsboro high school in 1952. While in high school Dorsey played basketball and he loved to roller skate. Dorsey was described by his classmates as tall, dignified, handsome and well dressed. Dorsey was well liked and had many friends. He was known for a heroic act when he saved his friend, who was drowning in a lake. Dorsey attended the Wilford Academy School of Cosmetology where he obtained his license as a beautician. Dorsey continued his education and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Lincoln University. He later conferred his Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also attended Rutgers and Princeton University for substance-abuse training. Dorsey enlisted in the United States Army and was ranked as a Private First Class and received an honorable discharge in 1964. At the age of 25 Dorsey met Helena Edith Lewis and they later had a daughter LaTanya Dorneisce Wood El. He later met and married Irma Salazar Holmes and from their union they had a son Andre Dorsey Holmes. Dorsey was later remarried to Marge Harrison and his final union was to the late Naomi Joyce Lancaster Holmes. Dorsey in his early years worked as a hairdresser along with his brother Coleman in their beauty shop in Paulsboro. Dorsey also obtained his real estate license and worked for Century 21 Realty. He worked for many years as a social worker in mental health. His places of employment included Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, Drenk Mental Health Agency, and John F. Kennedy Hospital. He was later employed with the federal government’s Veterans Administration in Philadelphia, PA, and later he retired from Lyon VA in North Jersey. Dorsey was a quiet, mild mannered man who loved his family and he was always willing to support them. He was always keenly observant and listened intently to their needs. He enjoyed spending time with his nieces Lynn, Lisa, and Leigh, and they were like his daughters. He especially loved taking time to support all of his nieces and nephews and grandchildren’s birthdays and graduations. He often traveled to Virginia to visit family members and attend reunions. Dorsey loved to travel to the Caribbean and where he enjoyed the beach, water and sun. He also loved dancing and music, especially jazz and blues. Dorsey favorite hobby was playing golf, as demonstrated by his many trophies and tournament championships. Dorsey leaves to cherish his memory, Son Andre Dorsey Holmes, Daughter LaTanya Wood El (Joseph), Stepchildren, Diana Moore, William Lewis (Christine), Sisters Anna Foley, Janice Hallman (Kenneth) Brother Thomas Holmes (Regina), Sister-in-law Charlotte Holmes, Brother-in laws Robert Lancaster (Barbara), Arthur Lancaster, Grandchildren, Joseph (Yvonne), Kalieb, Orissa, Great-grandchildren Anthony, Ajza, Aunye, Arissa, Kalieb, Azzir, Aurora, Kiyah, Step-grandchildren Emily, Morgan, Darian, Cameron, Tanisha, Joshua, Ashley, and Great-great grandchildren Zyan, Darian Jr., Milo, Kai, Nieces Lisa (Arthur), Lynn (Fred), Leigh (Maxwell), Debra (John) Lisa W. (Douglas), Nephews James (Shavonda), Tyrone (Angela),Coleman, Dwayne, Great Nieces Anna, Meredith, Hannah, Kyrielle, Great nephews Michael, Patrick, Peter, Phillip, Daniel, Josiah, James (deceased), Coleman Jr., Great-great nieces and nephews Jaylen, Jordon, Layla, Brylie, Rebekah, Annalee, David, and a host of cousins, family and friends.