Doris Wise Holmes, 80, daughter to the late Irene and Garland Wise, was born May 17, 1938. She departed this life on Friday, February 22, 2019.
Her parents were the first known black entrepreneurial couple in Somerset County, Maryland. They owned and operated a Pure Oil service station and restaurant. Doris was the younger of two children. Her brother was Thomas “Sonny” Wise. They were a loving, giving and caring family.
Doris was a life-long member and supporter of the John Wesley United Methodist Church in Cottage Grove, Maryland.
Doris’s educational foundation for living was all commenced in Somerset County where she started at Westover Elementary School, then to Greenwood Elementary and Junior High to Somerset Senior High then on to Maryland State…now known as University of Maryland Eastern Shore where she graduated and earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. While attending Maryland State, she met and married Charles J. Holmes. From that union, Charles J. Holmes, Jr. “Champ” was born. Doris and Champ joined Charlie in Jamesburg, New Jersey. After moving to New Jersey, she attended Rutgers University and achieved a master’s degree in social work. While at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Education she was elected to serve as President of the Minority Caucus. She also became a member of Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity, an educational organization. In New Jersey, Doris was employed by the New Jersey Division of Youth & Family Services; the New Jersey Rehabilitation Commission; Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work and she retired as an Associate Professor at Middlesex County College.
Doris was involved in numerous human services organizations. She was a member of the Board of Trustees for Middlesex County Legal Services, Middlesex Family Planning, United Way, Middlesex Human Service Association, President of Housing & Recreation Association for Southern Middlesex County and President of the Community Services Board of Lakewood, NJ. Her memberships included the NAACP, the National Social Worker Association, Alumni of Maryland State and Rutgers University. She was recognized by the Committee for Black Women in Focus as one of New Jerseys Top Ten Outstanding Black Women; was nominated by the Dean of Rutgers University as one of the Outstanding Young Women of America; was selected to be included in “Who’s Who Among American Teachers”. Her philosophy was “do not go where the path may lead you but go where there is no path and leave a trail”.
Doris LIVED and enjoyed the fruits of life thru travel, fun and family. She loved to have a good time and laugh with friends and family.
She is survived by her son, Charles J. Holmes, Jr. “Champ”; her daughter in-law, Lucy Holmes, three granddaughters, Charlize, Crystal and Christine; a sister in-law, Frances Wise, a special son, Jerry Davis and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and acquaintances she was so fond of.
She was preceded in death by her father, Garland Wise; her mother, Irene Wise; her brother, Thomas “Sonny” Wise and her fiancé, Francis A. Forst “Frank”.
A funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, March 9, 2019 at John Wesley United Methodist Church (Cottage Grove ) in Westover with a viewing one hour prior.
One Response
To the family,
I extend my sincere sympathy to you during your period of grief. I was an immense pleasure to converse with
Sissy during various summer vacations. It was very evident that Sissy was extremely intelligent, extremely
precision and relentless in achieving her tasks and pursuits.
Continue to cherish the precious memories and the company of family and friends.