Thursday, July 9, 2026

A00231 - Carl Bernard Holmes, Jr., Amherst College Class of 1975, Boys High School (Brooklyn, New York) Graduate

 Carl Bernard Holmes, Jr. Obituary Sep 16, 2025 - Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory

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Carl Bernard Holmes, Jr. of Enterprise, AL formerly of Brooklyn, NY passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at his home. He was 72.

A pioneer in his field, Carl was the first Black counselor at the Ten Mile River Boy Scout Reservation and earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies. He dedicated his career to supporting students with special needs across various schools, leaving a lasting impact on countless lives. He was presented the John F. Kennedy Memorial Citizenship Award during his lifetime.

Outside the classroom, Carl was an avid jazz fan and gifted musician who played with several well-known artists. He also loved fishing and found peace in nature. Carl was truly a loving and passionate man to family and friends.

Mr. Holmes was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Mildred Holmes; sister, Beverly Hall.

Surviving family include his brother, Gregory Holmes, Enterprise, AL; sister-in-law, Everlie Holmes, Enterprise, AL; nieces and nephew, Jamila, Jasmine, Amina, Sebastian, Alexandria, and Jes; great nieces, Beverly, Ella, Josephine, Zorah, and Charlotte.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

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Carl often called me his grandchild because he didn’t have any of his own. I cared for him, taking him back and forth to dialysis, stores, just spent time with him. A few months before his passing I stopped by and we caught up and had us a great conversation. A wonderful man, who showed me every man isn’t evil. I love you always “paw”.

Samoyah Oliver

Nov 05, 2025

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At Carl's 72nd Birthday in Panama City, and Destin Florida. He loved being at the beach.

Greg Holmes

Oct 12, 2025

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To my brother and my friend, ‘All Is Well’. We Love you.

Michael and Kitty Niles

Sep 30, 2025

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To my dear friend Carl who was always there for me. May you rest in peace in eternity.

Harp Patrick

Nov 02, 2025

Carl and I first met at Boys High some 57 year ago and maintained our close friendship and brotherhood until his passing. We spoke that Friday before his transition. The picture on his obituary was a wonderful occasion where Carl had the opportunity to travel to Florida for the celebration of Calvin Brown’s 71st birthday. Carl had the opportunity to see and reminisce with a few Boys High classmates that he had not seen for 53 years, Erich Randolph and Lance Newton. The smile on his face was “priceless”. We had a friendship that bonded us together for life. I will miss our conversations and I pray that we will see each other again. Love you my Brother, Rest in Peace!

James Bailey

Oct 12, 2025

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I have lost my Best Friend and Big Brother all in one. There is a void in my heart that can only be filled believing that "All is Well".

Greg Holmes

Sep 30, 2025

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Truly a wonderful individual that I considered a "brother from another mother". Carl and I met at Halsey Junior High 296 in Brooklyn played on the basketball team and student government. Then we attended Boys High school Brooklyn aka "The High". We were football teammates until he got injured, then became team manager. Carl served on the Student Council as Senior Class President of the all boys school. He organized a disco party instead of a prom that was a lifelong memory. Carl went on to Amherst College while I attended UCONN. Still we would visit one another to party.. I always admired his never give up attitude and resilience from constant medical issues The last time I saw him was at my 70th birthday and retirement celebration in Ocala Florida 2023. So many brothers from Brooklyn attended but Carl was the highlight. A close group of always had the motto from high school "Brooklyn Boys High Brothers til the day we die". One Family, One Love ❤️

Calvin Brown

Oct 13, 2025

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This was the last picture with you, Uncle Carl, and we are grateful to have celebrated your last birthday. You are now at peace 💜

Perez Family

Oct 01, 2025

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A00230 - Elizabeth Delilah Fairfax, Amherst College Class of 1997, Martin Luther King High School (Detroit, Michigan) Graduate

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I have so many things to say, and am still very much mourning your loss, but this is some of it:
Without even knowing it, you touched so many lives. Your laughter, your smile, your gentle nudge on a tough day. You were the light of my life, and the friend that supported me through even the darkest of my days. Your gentle soul, your kind spirit, your incredible lust for life, reading, children, and finding the good in the world: You will never be forgotten.
To my best friend: Rest in peace, and know that the world still carries you on the wind, in the sunshine, the flowers, and the sweet summer air. You're in the walls, the windows, and the love that we share.
Goodnight Liz. We hold you dear.
-Joi
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I always admired Liz for her intellect, beauty, smile and her hair (she had great hair-lol)! I would be so jealous because she would bring novels to school and by 5th hour she would be finished reading the entire book. I would ask "how do you do that?" Her response would always be "I can speed read." I always teased her saying "you are not really reading all those books." And we would laugh and joke about her pretending like she is reading to seem really smart LOL! Our last discussion on FB was about Prince and Michael Jackson. I made the mistake of saying MJ was the last musical genius. Oh boy why did i do that? Liz wrote me a dissertation on why MJ could not comapre to Prince. That is why I loved her because she was so articulate and well-spoken and you always learned something new when she spoke. She was a great person and her spirit will always live on!
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Kevin Torrance Clark
This made me laugh...because I can see her saying all of this...
"When You Ask God For A Gift,
Be Thankful If HE Sends,
Not Diamonds, Pearls Or Riches,
But The Love Of Real True Friends."
"We Love You Liz & We're So Grateful For The JOY & Laughter Shared Through The Years!" All Smiles:)
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I went to Martin Luther King Jr, H.S. with Elizabeth. She was extremely intelligent, caring, loving and beautiful from the inside and out. She will be truly missed but never forgotten. On behalf of the King Crusaders Class of 1993, I want to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Fairfax family/friends. May God bless you in your time of sorrow.
Many blessing to Elizabeth's family in this difficult time. God will see you through this.
I'm so shocked! I just talked to her several weeks ago!

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Deceased August 20, 2010

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Nickname

  • Liz
No data available
No data available

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Employment Information

    Former

    • Supervisor
      OMD
      Start:
      02/2008
      End:
      08/2010
    • Senior Analyst
      DigitasLBi
      Start:
      05/2005
      End:
      02/2008
    • Leo Burnett USA
      Start:
      01/1998
      End:
      02/2007

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    Reunion Class

    • 1997

    Graduation Year

    • 1997

    Major(s)

    • English

    Prizes

    • Rec-James Baldwin Award 1997

    Secondary Schools

    • Martin Luther King High School

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    James Baldwin Award at Amherst College

    There is no publicly listed “James Baldwin Award” in Amherst College’s official undergraduate awards program. The College’s Undergraduate Awards recognize outstanding work in various academic areas, scholarship, and citizenship, with prizes named after notable alumni and faculty, but no current award in the 2025–2026 listings bears Baldwin’s name Amherst College.

    However, James Baldwin’s legacy is closely tied to Amherst through his time at the Five Colleges (including UMass Amherst and Hampshire College). Baldwin taught at UMass Amherst from 1978–1983, becoming a mentor to students and colleagues, and his influence extended to Hampshire College, where the James Baldwin Scholarship Program supports students from historically underrepresented communities committed to social justice 

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    • Charles Drew House
    • Coolidge Dormitory
    • Hamilton Dormitory
    • Morrow Dormitory
    No data available

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