Charles Napoleon Holmes Sr.

A reflection of life

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven” …. Ecclesiastes 3:1

A Time to Be Born

Charles Napoleon Holmes, Sr. was born June 30, 1935, in Orville, Alabama to the late Arlena Louise King and John Holmes.

A Time to Live

Charles Napoleon Holmes, Sr. was the second oldest child in a family of four children. Growing up he loved to work and use his hands and was aggressive about earning money and making his own way. He attended and graduated from Keith High school in 1954. In high school he enjoyed sports and excelled as a running back on his football team. It was there he met and later married his high school sweet heart and love of his life, Ardell Ledoria Rayford. They were united in marriage on December 11, 1954. In 1955, Charles, Sr. and Ardell relocated to Cleveland, Ohio where they began their beautiful family of five children. Charles Sr. was a devoted husband and father who always worked hard to ensure his family had everything they needed and much of what they wanted. He moved his family to East Cleveland in 1968 to raise his family. He was an active participant and member of the East Cleveland City Council where he often ruffled feathers. He and his wife became entrepreneurs. He started Holmes Roofing and Remodeling, and was a successful business owner. The year of his retirement is uncertain as he worked and helped others just days before his death.

Charles, Sr. was driven, hard-working, opinionated, well-spoken, intelligent, aggressive, out-spoken and a tenacious man who knew something just about everything. He was never one to back down from a good debate and felt that it was his mission to tell others just what he thought whether you liked it or not. Although, he was “always right” he could admit when he was wrong with a shrug of his shoulders and a smile. He also felt that it was his mission to help those in need, finding it hard to say no. He and his wife of 52 years at her passing raised children to stand up for what is right and built a strong legacy of closeness and love with his family and friends.

A Time to Die

Charles Napoleon Holmes, Sr. departed from this life on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at UH Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood, Ohio. He will be greatly missed by many, but we are sure he is at peace and rest with his Heavenly Father.

A Time to mourn

Charles, Sr. will be greatly missed but cherished in the spirits of those he leaves behind, Five children: Charles Jr., Jenise, Stephanie, Danon and Rhonda. Five grandchildren: Omar Holmes, Tristian Holmes, Aliya Holmes, Mario Johnson, Jr. and Danon Holmes II. One great grandchild: Destiny. Brothers and sister: Herbert King, Albert King, Patricia King and Joan Holmes (Murphy). Honorary son: Vince Dickerson.

Charles is preceded death by his mother Arlena King, his father John Holmes, brother Albert King and sister Patricia King and wife Ardell Holmes