Owen Holmes III

NEWBERRY — Owen M. Holmes, III, 90, of Newberry, died Thursday, December 31, 2015 at the J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home.

Mr. Holmes was born on June 9, 1925 in Newberry, the son of the late Owen M Holmes, Jr. and Alleath Summer Holmes.

He was a WW II veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Pacific Theatre and in China. Owen finished Newberry College after being released from active duty. While in school, he joined W.C. Carter in several businesses including Carter & Holmes Orchids.

Owen was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church. He loved Ebenezer and the people who came home to worship and praise God and Jesus Christ. He served in most of the positions of the church and also served on various posts with the S.C. Methodist Church including 9 years as lay leader of the Greenwood District.

He helped form the S.C. Orchid Society and served as president of the Hartford Grange, the Newberry Historical Society, and The Rotary Club of Newberry. He served as a Trustee of Newberry College for many years and also chaired the Newberry County Planning Commission and the Newberry Community Hall Commission.

Mr. Holmes is survived by his wife of 56 years, Raye Humphries Holmes; his son Owen M. "Mac" Holmes, IV and his wife, Kathryn E. Brooker of Newberry; a number of cousins, including Joe Summer and his wife, Marianna and his daughter, Rebecca; and many treasured friends. He was predeceased by his parents and his cousin and business partner, W.C. "Bill" Carter.

The family received friends from 5:30 to 7:30 Saturday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.

Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday in the Wiles Chapel on the Newberry College Campus conducted by the Rev. Jimmy Counts. Interment will follow in the Ebenezer UMC Cemetery.

Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be members of the Rotary Club of Newberry.

Memorials are suggested to Ebenezer UM Church % Troy Bowers, 141 Holly Circle, Newberry, SC 29108.

Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com.

Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.