George W. Holmes III

George W. Holmes III, 88, of Charlottesville, died peacefully in the company of his wife and daughter after a long illness, on Saturday, December 8, 2007, at Morningside Assisted Living.

He was a long-time resident of Charlottesville, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia. Dr. Holmes was born in Alamance County, North Carolina, on February 22, 1919, to George W. Holmes Jr. and Fannie Thompson Holmes. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as a Marine Corps Officer on the U.S.S. Saratoga in the Pacific. After the war, he returned to college and began a career in education. He was a graduate of High Point College and earned a PhD Degree from the University of North Carolina. For several years, he served as Assistant Superintendant of the Roanoke City Schools.

He was a professor of Educational Administration at the University at Virginia, and Executive Secretary of the Virginia School Boards Association for 25 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville.

Dr. Holmes is survived by his wife, Maxine Templeton Holmes of Charlottesville; his son, Leonard Holmes and his wife, Susan, of Williamsburg; his daughter, Beth Holmes of Charlottesville; and his granddaughters, Allison Dorbad and her husband, Rob, of Richmond, and Mary Kathleen Holmes of Philadelphia.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Wilton, Herbert, and Billy; his sister, Doris Webb, and his son, Ralph Joseph Holmes.

George and Maxine lived most of their life on Stribling Avenue and more recently resided at Morningside Assisted Living.

George loved gardening and spent many hours cultivating vegetables for his family. He loved bluegrass and traditional country music and collected hundreds of LP records. He had a wonderful sense of humor that he maintained until the very end.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, with Dr. Harry Kennon officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8 p.m. on Monday, December 10, 2007, at the Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville.

A graveside service and interment will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 14, 2007, at the Union Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Union Grove, North Carolina.

The family suggests that any desired memorial contributions be made to the Virginia School Boards Association, 2320 Hunter's Way, Charlottesville, VA 22911, or the George and Mary Holmes Scholarship Fund, in care of High Point University, 833 Montlieu Avenue, High Point, NC 27262.

Friends may sign the guest book at www.hillandwood.com