Manus Elbert Holmes

Manus Elbert Holmes, 84, known to close relatives as “Manny,” passed away peacefully on the evening of Monday, October 19th in Greensboro, NC. He was born February 18, 1936 in Goldsboro, NC to Nathan and Mamie Holmes. He was the second of three children. Manus attended public schools in Goldsboro, NC graduating from Dillard High School in 1954. He remained very active in the Dillard Alumni Association and was an integral part of class reunions until failing health. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force receiving an Honorable Discharge. After leaving the military he attended Manhattan College in NY. In 1961, he met Nancy Cooper in Brooklyn, New York; the couple wed thereafter and welcomed three sons, who made them very proud.

Manus and family relocated to Greensboro, NC in 1973 where soon after he graduated from Shaw University. He dedicated 32 years of employment to the U.S. Postal Service, where he became Postmaster of Walkertown, NC and ultimately, retired as Manager of Quality Control at the Greensboro Bulk Mail Center.

Manus was actively involved in his community. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP being honored as "Man of the year" in 2000 for the Greensboro Branch. For many years he served as President of Greensboro Chapter Shaw University Alumni Association. In addition he was a board member of both the Greensboro Postal Credit Union and Greensboro War Memorial Coliseum , as well as a notable participant of the NC A&T Aggie Club. He was an active participant in the Hayes Taylor YMCA, Gate City Golf Association, the NC Genealogical Society and many other local organizations. A spiritual man, Manus was a prominent member of Shiloh Baptist Church where he held numerous leadership positions. Among them, Assistant Treasurer of the Finance Committee, board member of the J.T. Hairston Scholarship Fund and a member of the Board of Trustees.

His many hobbies included reading, golfing, and collecting rare coins. Always the gentleman, he was known for being polite and chivalrous until the end of his life—each conversation with Manus ended with a smile and “Thank you, have a nice day!” He is survived by his sisters, Ruth Swain of Brooklyn, NY and Ida Holmes of Queens, NY; wife of 38 years, Nancy; sons Manus (Shelia) of Richmond, VA, Marcus (Elise) of Charlotte, NC and Michael E of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren Maniecsha a.k.a. "Mannie," Madison and Jadon; as well as a host of nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews, and other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the J.T. Hairston Scholarship Fund at Shiloh Baptist Church in memory of Manus Holmes.

And now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love.

1 Corinthians 13:13