Jeffie Pearl Holmes

Jeffie Pearl Holmes, former long-term employee of the Department of Defense Finance and Accounting Center, died on March 25, 2018. She was born in Indianapolis, IN, on October 13, 1934, to James Guther Rodgers and Alberta Glover Rodgers. After attending schools #23 and #17, she attended Crispus Attucks High School. Jeffie had the pleasure of being at Crispus Attucks the same time as former NBA star Oscar Roberston. As a student, Jeffie was well liked and she established several lifelong friendships.

In 1955, she married Theadous Holmes and became a military wife and doting mother. During her marriage, Jeffie was fortunate to travel and live abroad and enjoy life fulfilling experiences. In 1956, Jeffie gave birth to Lydia C. Holmes (Melvin Banks), and in 1961 she gave birth to Suwane G. Holmes (Theodore Poole). Both of Jeffie’s daughters gained the experience of living abroad and learning about different cultures.

In 1969, Jeffie and her family moved to Indianapolis where she began her career with the Finance Center, and she retired from there in 1995. In her free time, Jeffie was a master seamstress often sewing coordinating outfits for her daughters. She also was an expert at design and sewing outfits for the various Barbies that were toys for Lydia and Suwane. Jeffie shared her knowledge of sewing with her daughters and they too learned how to sew and often created their own very stylish outfits. Who could ever forget the awesome Jeffie creation for Lydia’s senior prom? Who remembers the beautiful red dress that Jeffie made for herself?  Indeed, it was a signature piece.

Jeffie also enjoyed bowling and was always involved with a bowling league. Jeffie enjoyed bowling, and visiting casinos with her sisters: Eardie, Velma and Bertha. Jeffie enjoyed a 25 year retirement that included travel – trips to Miami, Bimini, Las Vegas, Elko, and family reunions – too many locations to list. Jeffie also enjoyed crossword puzzles, online word games, and watching sports; especially the Indiana Pacers.  Jeffie was blessed with the birth of a grandson from Lydia; Stone Alexander Banks. Stone is now an honor student at Butler University seeking an Economics degree.

Her former husband of 27 years, Theadous Holmes, predeceased Jeffie in 2015. Her sisters Eardie (Rodgers) Harwell and Velma (Rodgers) Parrish, and brother Bernest Rodgers, all of Indianapolis, IN, also predeceased Jeffie.  She is survived by her sister Bertha (Rodgers) Richardson, and brother Charles Rodgers, of Baton Rouge, daughters Lydia Holmes (Melvin) of Atlanta, GA, and Suwane Holmes (Theodore) of Lakeridge, VA, and grandson Stone Alexander Banks, of Atlanta, GA. She also leaves multiple nieces, nephews and cousins. A private service will be held Saturday, April 21^st at 1 p.m. Arrangements: Flanner Buchanan-Carmel, IN.