Rebecca LeFay McClelland Holmes was born in Lincoln Co. on July 9, 1928.

After graduating from Johnston Station Schools, she attended McComb Infirmary Nursing School, doing her clinical at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. After graduating from nursing school, she was employed by McComb Infirmary, Kings Daughters Hospital and Marion Manor (now McComb Rehab). She briefly taught the LPN class at SMCC.On a Sunday morning in August 1951, she married Horace Holmes, Sr at Moaks Creek Baptist Church. Rev. Harold Douglas cut the sermon short that Sunday and, at the end of the service, performed the marriage ceremony. She was married 54 years when her husband passed away.She was a selfless supporter of SMCC for many years while her husband held various positions, culminating with him serving as president of the school. She was a beloved part of the campus, hosting countless receptions and events. She and her husband supported numerous young people in their quest for education, bettering their lives. They in turn, then went on to improve their communities.She was also known to foster or adopt many puppies and dogs that passed through campus. She enjoyed attending sporting events, particularly those in which her sons and granddaughter, Miley, participated.She had been a member of First Baptist Church of Summit since 1954. Although she could no longer attend class in her later years, she was a member of the Ladies Sunday School class.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Vivian Brown McClelland and a brother, Howard McClelland.

She leaves two sons, Butch (Nancy) and Larry Holmes, both of Summit and one granddaughter, Kathryn Miley Holmes of Dallas, TX.Other survivors include three sisters, Drunette 'Jean' Pentecost of McComb, Nora Anderson of Hattiesburg and Billie Ladnier of Biloxi, one brother, Harrell McClelland of Summit and one sister-in-law, DeLois McClelland of Brookhaven. She also leaves much-loved nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at Sharkey Funeral Home, 1023 Old Brookhaven Road, Summit, MS 39666 from 9 AM until services at 11 AM with Dr. Jerry Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.Memorials may be made to PALS, P. O. Box 167, McComb, MS 39649 or Horace Holmes Scholarship Fund, SMCC, Summit, MS 39666.Share condolences at sharkeyfuneralhome.com