Celebrating the Life of Hamilton Earl Holmes, M.D. 1941 _. 1995 Tuesday, October 31, 1995 11:00 A.M. Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia Officiating The Reverend Edward L. Warner St. Paul's Episcopal Church ~amilton '!Qarl ~olms Hamilton Earl (Hamp) Holmes was born on July 8, 1941, at Dwelle Infirmary in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the first child born to Isabella C. Holmes and Alfred (Tup) Holmes. His earliest years were spent in Detroit, Michi, gan, where his parents moved during World War II. After a short postwar stay in Tuskegee, Alabama, where Hamp began his schooling, the Holmes Family returned to Atlanta. In Atlanta, he continued his elementary school education at E.R. Carter and English Avenue elementary schools. From 1953 to 1956, Hamp lived with his maternal grandmother in Tuskegee and finished his elementary education at the Chamblis Children's House. Hamp enrolled at Henry McNeal Turner High School in September, 1955. At Turner High, Hamp excelled in his studies, in athletics and in various student activities. In his senior year, he served as senior class president and captain of the football team. He graduated in 1959 as valedictorian of his class. During his formative years and throughout his life, Hamp was deeply influenced by his parents and grandpar, ents. From his paternal grandfather, Dr. Hamilton Mayo Holmes, he developed an early determination to serve his community as a physician. From his maternal grandmother, Isabella Campfield; his paternal grandmother, Pattie Reaves Holmes; and his father Alfred "Tup" Holmes, he developed his strong will and his willingness to challenge convention when necessary. From his maternal grandfather, Charles Campfield, and his mother he inherited his quiet, but yeoman,like work ethic. Several Atlanta institutions also shaped Hamp's development. Among them are the St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the Butler Street Y.M.C.A., the George Washington Carver Boys Club and the faculty and students of H.M. Turner High School. From these and other institutions, he gained a life long network of friends, who have served as a support group for all his endeavors. In September, 1959, Hamp enrolled at Morehouse College where he immediately became a protege of Dr. Benjamin Mays. Hamp loved his time spent at Morehouse. He further honed his academic skills, gained many friends, played on the football team, and developed a life long affiliation with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Despite his love of Morehouse, another fate awaited him. A group of African American leaders, led by Jesse Hill, Jr. and Donald Hollowell, was determined to challenge the prevailing injustice of our era. They sought clean cut students with stellar academic qualifications to integrate the University of Georgia. Hamp and Charlayne Hunter accepted the sacrifices and answered the call. The rest is history. Despite many hardships, Hamp excelled in his studies and obliterated the notion that an African American student could not excel at a white institution. He graduated cum laude in 1963 with a B.S. degree in Zoology and a Phi Beta Kappa Key. He then became the first African American student at the Emory University Medical School. Again, he excelled and graduated in 1967. His professional career has been long and distinguished. He served as a physician in the U.S. Army in Ger, many. He also served as the Medical Director at Grady Hospital and as a professor at the Emory University Medical School, where he enjoyed a warm and rewarding relationship with the many patients of his orthopaedic surgery practice. On August 7, 1965, Hamp married his partner in life, Marilyn Vincent of Detroit, Michigan. Out of this union came two children, Hamilton, Jr. and Alison Jeanene. Hamp drew strength from his happy family life. Throughout his life, Hamp enjoyed a frequently riotous, but warm, camaraderie with his siblings. At family gatherings, he often engaged in vigorous debate with his sister Emma Lauren and his brothers, Gary, Herbert and Michael. Hamp was Atlanta,born, Atlanta,bred, and Atlanta citizen to the core. He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. God of Our Fathers God of our fathers, whose almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, our grateful songs before Thy throne arise. Thy love divine hath led us in the past, in this free land by Thee our lot is cast; be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay, Thy word our law, Thy paths our chosen way. From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence, be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense; Thy true religion in our hearts increase, Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace. Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way, lead us from night to never~ending day; fill all our lives with love and grace divine, and glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine. The Apostles' Creed Celebrant and People I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The Prayers of the People For our brother, Hamilton, let us pray to our Lord ]esus Christ who said, "I am Resurrection and I am life." Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for Hamilton, and dry the tears of those who weep. Hear us, Lord. You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow. Hear us, Lord. You raised the dead to life; give to our brother eternal life. Hear us, Lord. You promised paradise to the thief who repented; bring our brother to the joys of heaven. Hear us, Lord. He was nourished with your Body and Blood; grant him a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom. Hear us, Lord. Comfort us in our sorrow at the death of our brother; let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope. raer of ~erhice ORGAN PRELUDE PROCESSIONAL HYMN God of Our Fathers SILENT READING OF THE OBITUARY THE LESSON FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Psalms 139: 7~12 Dr. Calvin Grimes Organist--Choirmaster St. Paul's Episcopal Church Father Warner National Hymn Alma Maters Morehouse College University of Georgia Charlayne Hunter--Gault THE LESSON FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT II Timothy 4:6~8, 16~18 Dr. Richard Beaver DUET I've ]ust Seen]esus Harriett Bowens, Alto Eugene Bowens, Tenor Gaither/Daniels THE HOLY GOSPEL John 6:37AO Father Warner THE HOMILY The Rev. Jeffrey Cooper Pastor, Trinity AME Church THE APOSTLES' CREED (See Insert) THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (See insert) TRIBUTES Dr. Walter E. Massey, President, Morehouse College Dr. Charles Knapp, President, University of Georgia Dr. Lamar Fleming, The Emory Clinic Marvin S. Arrington, President, Atlanta City Council Gary M. Holmes Hamilton E. Holmes, Jr. SPIRITUAL I Done Done What You Told Me To Do Morehouse College Glee Club Traditional THE COMMENDATION RECESSIONAL Father Warner Interment Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 2275 Simpson Road, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia The family will receive friends in the chapel at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery following the burial. Pallbearers Marvin Arrington Gary Holmes Herbert Holmes Michael Holmes George Smith James Willingham Honorary Pallbearers Jesse Hill, Jr. Donald Hollowell Hamilton M. Holmes, Jr. Harold M. Holmes Vernon Jordan Samuel Roberts James Washington Asa Yancey Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Kappa Boule 100% Wrong Club Orthopedic Residents The Morehouse Torchbearers Ushers Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Members of Kappa Boule Members of the 100% Wrong Club Members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church Members of the Morehouse Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Flower Ladies Members of Pi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Members of the Azalea City Chapter of the Links, Inc. Faculty of Sarah Smith Elementary School In lieu of flowers and other remembrances, the family requests that contributions be made to a scholarship fund named for Dr. Hamilton E. Holmes. Acknowledgement The family of the late Hamilton E. Holmes, M.D., is most grateful for the many acts of kindness and sympathy extended to them during their time of bereavement and ask that you continue to remember them in your thoughts and prayers. May God bless each of you. Sellers Brothers Funeral Home 889 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30314