Mattie Holmes

Mattie White Holmes was born in Bastrop County, Texas on April 14, 1922. At an early age, her family relocated to Temple, Texas. She joined Eighth Street Baptist Church and sang in the choir. Later, she joined Corinth Baptist Church where her husband and children were members. Mattie attended school in Temple, graduating from Dunbar High School in 1940. Mattie and S. T. were high school sweethearts and married after graduation. To this union three children were born.

In the early years she assisted her husband in his tailoring and dry cleaning business. She participated in Dunbar High School Parent Teacher Association and was also selected Band Mother of the Year in 1956.

When her family relocated to Denver, CO, they united with St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a Deaconess, in the Missionary Society and sang in the Missionary Choir. She remained a member until her demise.

After years of driving grand and great- grandchildren to and from school, she attended the Community College of Denver and earned certificates as a Child Development Associate and as a Daycare Center Director. In addition, she completed the Evangelical Training Association twelve course Advanced Church Ministries Course at St. Stephen's Missionary Baptist Church.

Mattie told the story that she patterned her dress after Queen Elizabeth, who wore hats and gloves; she always wore hats and gloves to church. She kept every hat that she ever owned. They are clean and in excellent condition. Mattie loved her yard and flowers, especially peonies, and always had elaborate Christmas decorations. She watered and groomed her yard and everyone was on-call for clean up duties.

Matriarch Mattie has many, many nephews and nieces. She would not hesitate to call all over the United States to give them her advice.

Preceded in death by husband Stevenson T. Holmes, Sr. (S. T.), son Charles Wayne Holmes, her parents, Chester A. and Donnie T. White and twelve (12) siblings, Jessie White, Lula Mae White, Henrietta Morris, Frances Barrett, Sarah Hill, Mary Mangum, Chester A. White, Jr., Ann Jackson, Nelson White, Elson White and Artenia Dixon.

Mattie is survived by her daughter Sylvia Holmes White, Denver, CO; son Steve Holmes, Jr. (Vada), Pearland, TX; Sisters-in-law Pastor E. J. White, Phoenix, AZ and Norma Jean White-Richardson, Fairfield, CA.

Grandchildren: Melvin L. Wilburn, Stephanie Y. Wilburn, Angela R. Holmes, Andrew S. Ragland and Tiffany Peterson.

Great- grandchildren: Schuyla L. Williams (Trevor), Steven L. Williams, II (Toni), Shaquiel Y. Wilburn, Andrew S. Ragland, Jr., Tyson C. Jones, Tinasia L. White and Braxton A. Holmes.

Great- great- grandchildren: Braxton Angelle Holmes, James Alexander West, III, Jayden Anthony Bourne, Amiya Jade Bourne, Iy'Ana Leiasianique Williams, Steven Lee Williams, III, Cobain Charles Jones, Aleena Berlynn Austin, Ronnie Lee Harrell, Jr, Jaryd Christopher Peterson, Journee Peterson, Jaxon Freelon and Jazzlyn Freelon, Apollo Lee Charles Austin.