Ocie Lee Holmes

“God Saw You Getting Tired”

God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be

so he put His arms around you, and whispered "Come to me."

With tearful eyes we watched you, as you slowly slipped away

and though we loved you dearly, we couldn't make you stay.

Your golden heart stopped beating; your tired hands put to rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

By Frances and Kathleen Coelho

God in his peaceful and gentle way called Ocie Lee Bennett Holmes from mortality to immortality on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at the Holy Cross Catholic Hospice Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ocie was born in Morven, North Carolina on November 6, 1939 as the oldest child of the late Dojie Lee Bennett, Sr. and Elsie Bennett.

Ocie’s parents moved to Badin, North Carolina where Ocie spent her childhood years. She was raised in aChristian home, and her parents instilled in her the importance of love for God, family, friends, and self.Growing up, she was a member of the McDonald African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Badin. Ocie wasa 1957 graduate of West Badin High School and furthered her education at Shaw University, Raleigh, NorthCarolina.

While visiting family in New York City, Ocie met the love of her life, William Holmes, to whom she wasmarried for 53 years until his death in July 2013. She was employed by Chase Manhattan Bank in New York for many years, and one of her co-workers, Sarah Brown, became one of her closest and dearest friends. In

1967, Ocie and William moved to Englewood, New Jersey to become homeowners. Ocie had a productive career as an educator with the Englewood Board of Education and retired after 30 years of service in 1997. She was an active member of the Teacher Associates Committee and was very involved with the New Jersey Educators Association and looked forward to attending its annual meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey with her colleagues. Ocie was an active member of St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church in Englewood, and volunteered at the St. Cecilia Grammar School were her children attended. During summer breaks, Ocie worked for the Englewood Parks and Recreation Association.

Upon retiring, Ocie and William moved to Chesapeake, Virginia for three years, then settled in Sun City in Bluffton, South Carolina to enjoy their retirement years. Ocie loved Sun City and the many friends that she met and associated with in the Bluffton/Hilton Head area until moving to Florida in August 2019. She was a member of the Sun City New Jersey Club, Democratic Club, Sisters with a Purpose, and Red Hat Ladies, She was an avid Bridge player and loved hosting the Bridge Club and participating in tournaments. Ocie was always a very outgoing person and loved to entertain her family and friends. Some of her favorite past times included playing tennis, swimming, water aerobics, dancing, and attending concerts and Broadway shows. She loved to travel internationally to such places as Spain, Greece, Italy, England, and the Caribbean among others.

In addition to her husband, Ocie was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Jean Bennett, whom she was the loving care-giver for many years. She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters Sandra Bennett Crowder(Kenneth), and Yolanda Holmes; one son, Anthony Holmes (Thania); one brother, Dojie Lee Bennett, Jr., one sister, Dianne Bennett Cummings; grandchildren: Dantae Crowder, Justin Crowder, Antoine Lilly, Carmen Perez Rojas, Joanne Perez; great-grandchildren, Amyah Crowder, Nascir Cross, Dylan Walker, Jonathan Rojas, Adrinna Rojas; nieces, Katherine Bennett Hiller, Desiree Bennett Tolbert, Kia Parker Mitchell, LaTisha Brown, Robin Lockett, Pia Chafin Eugene; Sister-in-law, Beatrice Brown, Aunt-in-law, Ruth Germany, a host of cousins and extended family members, and closest friends Leona Bragg, Joyce Fortson, Lamont and Martha Saunders, Ethel Brown, Doris Ostrow, Arnetta Duncan, and godson, Idris Saunders.