Frances Avant Holmes

Mrs. Frances Avant Holmes, age 89, of Sandersville, died Friday, November 13, 2015 at the Spanish Oaks Retreat in Savannah, her recent home. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 15th at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Sandersville with burial in the Brownwood Cemetery. Reverend Lee Lacey will officiate. Pallbearers will be Thomas Green, Jon Holmes, Matt Holmes, Josh Holmes, Seth Holmes, Lee Avant and Billy Smith.

Miss Frances, as she was known by many, was born in Sandersville, Georgia on May 17, 1926 to the late Charles Benion and the late Effie Tanner Avant at her home on Smith Street. Her childhood home was within walking distance of her elementary school, her church, and Sandersville High School where she graduated in 1945. She married David M. Holmes on June 26, 1949 and they resided most of their lives together near David's family home and business, Holmes Canning Company. They were married for 38 years until David's untimely death in 1987.

Frances Holmes was an active part of the Sandersville community and worked nearly all of her entire life within a five mile radius of her home. As a youth she worked at the Five and Ten Cent store on the town square, in her late teens as a secretary at the “shirt factory”, and after marriage to David as a bookkeeper at Holmes Canning Company. Her last few years of employment were as secretary at First Baptist Church of Sandersville, where she also taught Sunday School classes for decades to seven-year olds.

Her volunteer work included years of PTA, Cub Scouts, Hospital Aide work, and the church choir. She was also a member of the Sandersville Transylvania and Sorosis Clubs, Garden Club, numerous church Circles, Bible Studies and prayer groups.
Frances loved travel and coordinated trips for interested Washington County travelers for 20 years to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North America.

Frances lived a full life of serving her immediate and extended family, and many others through her church and civic organizations. She impacted and influenced the lives of many in her community through her selfless service to others.

Survivors are; her children, Debbie H. Carter and her husband Joe of Snellville, D. Eric Holmes and his wife Pam of Savannah, Michael Alan Holmes and his wife Laurie of Franklin TN., and Dale Holmes and his wife Jean of Clarkesville, grandchildren, Thomas David Greene, Kelly Erin G. Leighton and her husband Sean, Josh Eric Holmes and his wife Jordan, Matthew Davis Holmes and his wife Victoria, Hannah H. Warren and her husband Brian, Seth Holmes and Jon Holmes and his wife Stephanie, seven great grandchildren, her brother, Hut Avant and his wife Joanne of Sandersville, and her sister Faye A. Samples of Atlanta

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville.

Donations may be made to the Sandersville First Baptist Church building fund 316 Mathis Circle, Sandersville, GA. 31082.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.