Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mrs. Lois Lorene Holmes, 85, of Beckley, WV, was called home, Saturday, September 21, 2019.

Lois was born February 24, 1934, in Lenoir, NC. She was the seventh child of seventeen children born to the late Lillie Dula and Molten Alexander Harbison.

At a young age, her family moved from Lenoir, NC, to Lilly-Brook, WV. Her second move was to Skelton, WV. During her high school years, Lois moved in with her Aunt Rosie Page, of East Beckley, WV, where she graduated from Stratton High School and volunteered at Beckley Hospital as a candy striper.

Lois, later met her first husband, Walter Thomas Robinson; they married in 1953. They had two sons, Walter Thomas Robinson II and Curtis Edward Robinson. They lived in Stanaford, WV, until they built their home in 1960 at 141 Hager Street, Beckley, WV. Walter, her husband, passed in 1964.

Lois went to work for WV University Home Nutrition program as an aide. During this time, she was also a member of the WV Modernistic Homemakers Club.

In 1966, Lois met James Holmes, they were married in 1969. They had two daughters, Sarah Lynn and Brooke Machelle. During this time, Lois became a Realtor and later became the Manager of Abram-King Memorial Apartments.

Lois was a 57year member of Central Baptist Church; where she also served as a deaconess.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, James, in 1999; whom she was married to for 30 years, and her son, Curtis Edward Robinson, who passed in October, 2017. Also preceding Lois are 8 brothers: Charles “Jake” Edward, Molten “June” Alexander, Johnny, Earl Benjamin, Millard “Pick”, Willard “Nick”, Robert “Tuney”, and James Edward and 3 sisters: Edith Harbison Saunders, Lillie Mae Harbison Shepherd, and Rosa Catherine Harbison Bright.

She leaves behind her son, Walter Thomas Robinson II (Linda) of Carriacou, Grenada; daughters, Sarah Lynn Davis (Jerrod) of Augusta, GA; Brooke Machelle Williams (Louis), of Groton, CT; nephew, Darren (Yvette) of CA. Lois also leaves 2 brothers; John Iron Harbison of Youngstown, OH, and David Harbison of Mt. Hope, WV; and 3 sisters; Lula Bell Harbison Kirkpatrick of Cross Lanes, WV, Annie Mae Harbison Sears (Robert) of Redford Heights, OH, and Sunday Harbison Hendricks of Mt. Hope, WV; 16 grandchildren: 25 great-grandchildren: and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

On Saturday, September 21, 2019, at 2:30 PM, Lois passed into the presence of her Lord and Savior. With her earthly good byes said, she awaits a heavenly reunion (a Face to Face) with all she loved dearly.

Enter into the joy of the Lord our little prayer Warrior. You will be dearly missed by all who had the joy of truly knowing you. We love you.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Central Baptist Church Brooks & G Sts. Beckley with Missionary Walter T. Robinson II officiating. Entombment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley