Charles Franklin Holmes, 76, retired University of Memphis Community Relations Director who advised four of the university’s presidents and two interim presidents over 33 years, died October 20 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Virginia Holmes of Hickory Valley, TN, his beloved wife and soul mate, Nancy Tippitt Holmes, two sisters, Jamie Maupin and Margaret Kinney, a brother Jack Holmes, and son- in-law, Bill Walsh. He is survived by his daughters, Charlotte A. Fletcher of Memphis and Dr. Katrina Walsh of Plano, Texas; grandchildren Tatum (Jeff) Dunn of Cordova, and Kaylee, Hannah and Madison Walsh of Plano, Texas; and great-grandchildren, Joshua and Abigail Edwards of Memphis; and his brother, Joe Holmes of Cullman, AL. After graduating from Memphis State College in 1957, Holmes became a reporter for The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal for five years before becoming Director of Public Information at Memphis State University in 1962. Although his office changed names on several occasions, Mr. Holmes remained at the university as head of public relations until 1995 when he became special assistant and government relations liaison to then-president Dr. V. Lane Rawlins. Holmes fully retired in 2000. Mr. Holmes was well-known throughout West and Middle Tennessee for his public relations connections and his invaluable assistance in many local crisis situations including working with then-sheriff William N. Morris following the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King in Memphis on April 4, 1968. Subsequently, he was asked by Sheriff Morris and Criminal Court Judge W. Preston Battle to prepare a plan for seating the many local, national and international media representatives at the trial of James Earl Ray, King’s killer. After months of preparation, Ray pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 99 years in prison, where he died. Following the abbreviated trial, author Gerold Frank interviewed Holmes at great length before publishing his definitive book on the case called “An American Death.” “Charlie had a tremendous impact both at the university and in his relationships with the leadership of the City of Memphis,” Morris noted. “He was a trusted friend as well as a strong bridge-builder for our community.” Holmes was the voice of The University of Memphis for over three decades, serving as editor of “The Tiger Rag” student newspaper, during his senior year. He was greatly involved in Memphis State College’s name change to Memphis State University in 1957 and then to The University of Memphis in 1994. Mr. Holmes co-authored, with the late William Sorrels, a book about the history of Memphis State football. He served as past president of the Memphis Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, and received the 1987 Outstanding Journalism Award by the university’s Journalism Alumni Association and the 1999 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Memphis Chapter of PRSA. He was honored by the Tennessee College Public Relations Association in 2004 when an award in Holmes’ name was established to be given annually to a member of outstanding accomplishment. Holmes also served with the U.S. Army in Germany at the time Elvis Presley was there and was assigned to deal with both the national and international media on their inquiries concerning the military life of Presley. While overseas, he appeared as a jeep driver in the Elvis’ movie “G.I Blues. The family will receive friends Monday, October 24, 2011 from 5 - 8 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Poplar Avenue, with funeral services Tuesday at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Bethany Cemetery in Hickory Valley, Tennessee. Online condolences may be offered at memphisfuneralhome. net Memphis Funeral Home And Memorial Gardens 5599 Poplar Ave. (901)725-0100
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
October 26, 2023
Family
Katrina
Always, Beanie
October 17, 2023
Family
Tatum
I´m here again. Another year has passed by without you. I can´t believe you have been gone this long already. You still are loved and missed everyday. It hasn´t gotten any easier you should be here. I miss you love you. Until we meet again your grandarlin Tate.
October 17, 2022
Family
Tatum Dunn
Love you and miss you everyday! Certain times more then ever and thiS week is one of those times. So much has changed since you left this world. I try to tell stories about you often. I wish Izzy could have known you like my other babies cause she would have absolutely loved you and you would adore her. Saying i miss you doesn´t even come close to how i feel. I love you always your Tate
October 16, 2021
Beanie
Miss you and love you always
March 21, 2020
Miss you just as much today as i did the day i lost you. To be honest i feel lost in this world without you. I love you and miss you every single day. I long for the day i see you again.
Love Tate
October 16, 2019
Daughter
Charlotte Holmes-Fletcher
As the anniversary of your light being extinguished, I find myself missing you even more than normal. I am missing your advice, your dry sense of humor, your everything.....once again let me say "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when sky's are gray, you'll never know dear how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away". I can not even begin to believe it has been 8 years since you left us, but I know it seems like just yesterday. I feel your presence everyday some more than others. I really miss you Dad and I love you so much. Your Eldest Daughter, Charlotte "Tookie"
November 14, 2014
January 1, 2014
Mandy Garvin
Hey Grandaddy? Mindy,Zach, and I love you?
January 1, 2014
Rosetta (O'Flynn)Hatch
Happy New Year, Charlie
December 31, 2013
ANNIE WALTERS
CHARLES WILL BE MISSED. I USED TO LIVE BEHIND CHARLS AND NANCY AND HE WAS ALWAYS PULLING PRANKS ON ME. MUCH LOVE TO FAMILY.
October 22, 2013
love you, Beanie
October 19, 2013
Tatum Dunn
Lighting this candle for you tonight. I love you
October 19, 2013
Tatum Dunn
Tomorrow will be 2 years and I feel as though it was yesterday. My heart is really aching tonight. I miss you so much that words will never be able to describe. I really have felt you here lately and long to see you, I have needed you so so much. I love you and miss you. Your Darling Tate.
March 1, 2013
Caroline Yermal
Charlie was my grandfather I'm 11 years old right now and I really wish I had met him. My mother is Jennifer Holmes Charlie's daughter.
July 9, 2012
Rosetta (O'Flynn) Hatch
I knew Charlie when my husband was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Actually, we (my husband, Martin O'Flynn and I)shared an apartment with Charlie when Charlotte was only a few months old. You always made me laugh Charlie. You were a treasure. God LOVE YOU and Rest in Peace, my FRIEND.
November 5, 2011
Tatum Dunn
I still miss you everyday, it doesn't seem to get easier it keeps getting harder. It brings happiness to my heart to read these entry's and know that you touched so many people. You were and are the greatest man I ever knew. My hero. I love you!! Love your Grandarlin Tate,
November 4, 2011
Frank Holmes
Charlie was an outstanding colleague whose advice was greatly valued. I don't believe there was Memphis Tiger alumnus who was more loyal and dedicated. He always placed the organiazation first. He and his kind will be greatly missed.
November 2, 2011
Holly Hodges
It has been a joy and honor to have known Charlie Holmes.
My sons remember him for his silly antics when they were small (1980's).
Halloween comes to mind when he jumped from my Mom's bushes to scare them !
My husband, Rob, & I enjoyed MSU sports (esp Basketball !)on TV with Charles & Nancy at my parent's home - Howard & Noreen Holst.
Mom has been widowed many years now.
Charlie was perhaps my Dad's best friend.
That is why we chose him to kidnap Daddy at his 50th birthday so we could set up a surprise party.
Charlie was always up for a stunt & all went off like clockwork.
I am sure he is keeping Daddy company now. And especially his near & dear Nancy - whom we miss, also.
Please accept my dearest condolences to all - friends and family.
Holly & Rob Hodges, sons Brian and Christopher
October 31, 2011
Mary Byrd Wall
I am adding my sympathy to Mr. Holmes' family and many friends. I too worked as part of his Memphis State Media Relations team in the early 1980s and appreciated the opportunities and optimism Mr. Holmes gave me.
October 29, 2011
I worked with Mr. Holmes at Memphis State in 1986. I thought the world of him and wish his beautiful daughters peace as they begin to accept the lost of their wonderful family.
Pat (Taylor) Dawson
October 28, 2011
David Riley Holmes
Charles Franklin Holmes. My Father Jack's little brother, my Uncle Charlie. Like a true Holmes he was of a quick wit and enjoyed melding humor with wisdom. We were at a family cook-out at Fisherville one summer when i at about 10 had to go to the bathroom. I went in, did my business and as I stepped out of the campground type restroom there was Uncle Charlie smoking. Well i thought I had caught him as he had told EVERYONE he had quit. Oooooo, Uncle Charlie, your smoking. He said David, i will make a deal with you. You don't tell anyone you saw me smoking, i won't tell anyone you peed in the womens bathroom! My wife Sandy and daughter Hannah got to know Uncle Charlie after Aunt Nancy left us. He was kind to Hannah, showed her attention when we went for visits. We enjoyed hearing of his travels with Nancy, Newspaper days etc. I love you and miss you Unc.
October 28, 2011
Dr. & Mrs. James Chumney
We wish to express our sincere sympathy to Charlotte and Katrina in the passing of their father. Our friendship with Charles dates back to the 1950s as students at Memphis State and we have enjoyed knowing him through many years. May God be with you and your families during this time of sadness.
October 27, 2011
Charlotte Fletcher
Dad,
You are my Sunshine, My only Sunshine,
You make me Happy when skies are blue, You'll never know dear how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away.
I love you!
Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting out the lamp because the Dawn has come.
"Tookie" (Charlotte)
October 26, 2011
Katrina Walsh
Dad
Words can not express my love and my admiration of you. I wish I could sum up in a few words all that you meant to me. I can not. I have lost part of my heart, my life. Thank you for all of those "Sunday chats", the coffee, the newspaper, the advice, and most of all the incredible support and your love. I am very proud to call you my father. I am very proud of your life and your accomplishments. I am proud you have soared on to new heights. You can't hit a home run unless you keep swingin" -right? I As you looked into that incubator on that August afternoon, you saw a tiny baby. Your baby. She's still swinging and trying and loving you. I was and always will be just that, your beanie. Love you forever. MGB&K - T*:)
October 26, 2011
Tatum Dunn
Grandaddy I'm lost without you, it's hard to not hear and see you everyday you have been part of my life everyday. I'm thankful that I got to care for you for the past few years and hold your hand as you left this world I will keep it in my heart for the rest of my life until I see you on the other side. My heart aches for you but it rejoices knowing you are with the people we lost and loved so dearly. You will forever be my Grandaddy and I will be your grandarlin u love you and so do Josh and Abby we are going to your house now to take care of your cats. Fly high my guardian angel. Love your Tate.
October 26, 2011
Tatum Dunn
Grandaddy you will forever be my light and I am lost without you, I am glad that I got the pleasure to take care of you up to your last moments. I held your hand as you left this world and will carry it in my heart until Im with you again! My heart aches to not here or see you but it rejoices to know where you are and with all the people you longed to see. Fly high my guardian angel. Love your grandarlin Tate.
October 26, 2011
Jennifer Holmes
My heart is filled with great sadness that I never had the opportunity to know Charles. I also wish my two daughters, Caroline and Lydia, were able to meet him. My mother died very recently and I know that this is a terrible loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jennifer L. Holmes (Wilmington, N.C.)
October 25, 2011
Jerry Morris
Charlie Holmes was a very good friend. We served in the Army together in Germany. He was best man at my wedding in 1962. He will be greatly missed.
October 24, 2011
Brian Bland
Charlie was one of those great people who touched many lives and had many admirers due to his professionalism and wit. It was always a treat to see him. My best to his family.
October 24, 2011
Robyn & Tom Culbertson
Charlotte & Katrina,
I'm so very sorry to hear about Uncle Charlie, and sorrier still that I can't make it down for the funeral. This is a lovely collage of pictures.....I feel like I took a trip back in time since mom, Bobby and Haila are no longer here with us--not to mention Jack, Mimi and Margaret. What a nice tribute to your Dad. You're both in our thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there's anything Tom & I can do. When things settle down, you and Trina should plan a trip to Boston for a visit. The door's always open! xoxo Robyn & Tom
October 24, 2011
Sherry Puckett Greene
Charlie was a great friend to my late father Dickey Puckett, and was a like a godfather to my sister Mary Kate and me. He helped us at times to overcome obstacles and was present at many important and enjoyable times in our lives. He will be missed by more people than most of us can know. -Sherry Puckett Greene
October 23, 2011
Kathy O'Gwin
Mr. Holmes was a wonderful boss and a faithful friend. I first met him when I was a student in his news writing class at Memphis State. He was also a great teacher. I will truly miss sharing memories with this very special man.
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