Susan Holmes

HOLMES, Susan Dykes

Susan Dykes Holmes, 82, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday morning, April 30, 2025 in her beloved town of Monticello, Georgia.

Susan was born on October 8, 1942, in Jasper County, Georgia to the late Martha Blackwell Dykes and William Samuel Dykes. She was a product of rural Georgia and a seventh generation Jasper Countian, raised on a cotton farm in the Farrar community in north Jasper County. An honor graduate of Monticello High School, she was a popular cheerleader and Homecoming Court representative each year.

At the age of 16, Susan attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 1963 with a BS degree in Business Education. She was a loyal Bulldog her whole life. She was a proud member of Phi Mu sorority and maintained special, lifelong friendships with her Phi Mu sisters. It was also at the University that Susan met the love of her life, John Paul Holmes, Jr., a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and an outstanding UGA football player. Susan and Paul married on a beautiful St. Patricks Day in 1962 on the family farm.

Susan had a deep love for Monticello and a strong commitment to the local community and the state. In her early adult years, she taught in both public and private schools, served as a postmaster, a legal assistant, and CFO of a family owned insurance company.

In 1998, Susan became the first woman mayor of Monticello and served in that position for twelve years. In 2007, former President George W. Bush appointed her state executive director of the Farm Service Agency of Georgia. From 2011 to 2023, Susan served as a Republican member of the Georgia House of Representatives, running unopposed for most terms. She represented District 129 which included Jasper County and parts of Butts, Jones, and Monroe Counties.

Susan was named one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine and one of the five most outstanding women in Middle Georgia by the Girl Scout Council. She received recognition as Northeast Georgia's Most Outstanding Citizen and was a Georgia Downtown Association's Outstanding Leadership Award recipient.

She was a member of the Jasper Memorial Hospital Board, Jasper County Library Board, Jasper County Board of Health, Georgia College and State University Foundation Board, the Southern Crescent Technical College Foundation Board, and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The local Chamber of Commerce chose Susan as Citizen of the Year in 2001. In 2003, she served as President of the Georgia Municipal Association. She was a member of the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce and Historical Foundation, Monticello Garden Club, and Sgt. Newton Daughter of the American Revolution. Susan and Paul were founding parents of Piedmont Academy and have been active members of Monticello Presbyterian Church.

In the years after her retirement from the Georgia House of Representatives, Susan enjoyed having more time to visit with her family, participating in church and community activities, traveling, and keeping up with the thousands of friends she had made. State leaders continued to seek her advice and support on issues of importance, and she and Paul were always willing to assist former constituents. She embraced the concept of befriending and honoring all who came her way. No doubt she will be remembered as one of Jasper County's and Georgia's most outstanding citizens.

By far, Susan's greatest joys were her husband of 63 years, Paul; her three children, John Paul Holmes, III and wife, Lou of Macon, Samuel Dykes Holmes and wife, Lara of Atlanta, and the late Cammie Holmes McCook and husband, Thomas of Macon; her grandchildren, John Paul Holmes, IV (Katie), Neil Sims Holmes (Emily), Samuel Dykes Holmes, Jr. (Elizabeth), Susan Weiss Holmes, Cammie Chapman Holmes, Thomas Harlan McCook, III, Evans Blackwell McCook, and Shorter Hill McCook; and great-grandchildren, Evelyn Louise Holmes, Georgia Mae Holmes, and Samuel Dykes Holmes, III. Susan was very proud to have four generations of University of Georgia graduates, and was so honored for her family to be recognized as the 2023 family of the year by the university.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Martha Dykes Bryan; her beloved daughter, Cammie Holmes McCook; her grandson, William Truitt Holmes; and niece, Martha Louise Epton.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Monticello Baptist Church, with visitation from 12:00-2:00 PM. Dr. Corey Ingold will officiate with Dr. John Brown assisting.

Memorials may be made through floral arrangement or by donations to Monticello Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 308, Monticello, GA 31064.

Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visit its website at www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.