Obituary

On Monday, March 13, 2017 the Lord dispatched his angels and sent for one of his beautiful children- Mrs. Delaina Holmes. Mrs. Holmes departed this earthly tabernacle and transitioned to the celestial shore.

The Alpha Chi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated gave the ” Ivy Beyond The Wall ” Ceremony – Friday, March 17,2017 at New Jerusalem Baptist Church from 6:00PM – 7:00PM

The Celebration of Life:
Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 12:00pm
at New Jerusalem Baptist Church.

Life, Love & Legacy of
Mrs. Delai̱a Townsend РHolmes

On December 30, 1968 a sweet little preemie baby girl born to Patricia Townsend and Herbert Gray in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Delaiña who was a born fighter entered the world with a hole in her heart and at the tender age of three she battled open heart surgery which was only the beginning of battle that made her become a “True Survivor.”

She was a leader who was lovingly called “Laina”.

Delaiña accepted Christ at an early age where she became an active member of St. Luke Baptist Church. There she served on the Junior Usher Board, Choir, and Secretary of Sunday School.

Delaiña was reared in Tulsa Public School system. She attended Greeley Elementary, Carver Middle School (where she was a cheerleader) and graduated from Booker T. Washington as a proud Hornet ‘87. Delaiña attended Central State University in Wilberforce, OH and obtained a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration; and later earned a Masters of Business Administration in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University. Delaiña was also heavily involved in both ROTC and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Beta Xi Made & Bred. “She Aced the test.”

In undergrad she met and married the love of her life Jerome Holmes III. This 27 year union created two beautiful children, Sumayya Nicole and Isaiah Najiib. Together they traveled the world, watched sports, danced, and entertained friends and family.

Alpha Kappa Alpha has always been near and dear to Delaiña’s heart. Throughout her lifetime she was able to become a Silver Star, President of her graduate Chapter Alpha Chi Omega and recognized as “Soror of the year”. These are only a few of Delaiña’s many accolades.

Delaiña lived in Ohio for over 20 years where she was a member of Blessed Hope MBC. She was instrumental in establishing the Girl Scouts in East Cleveland. She created annual events such as of the Mother-Daughter Sock Hop, Father-Daughter Banquet, summer camping trips, and college tours. It is no coincidence that majority of the girls Delaiña touched all went off to college.

In 2008, she returned to Oklahoma and in true Delaiña spirit she instantly regained leadership roles in several community service organizations. She actively participated in PTSA at Booker T. Washington and was instrumental in developing new programs and college tours for the schools organization Men of Power.

Delaiña was called to glory on March 13, 2017. She was preceded in death by her step-father Earnest Martin and grandparents.

Delaiña leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Jerome Holmes III; her daughter, Sumayya and son, Isaiah; her mother, Patricia Martin and her father, Herbert Gray; her in-laws, Amelia Holmes and Jerome Holmes Jr.; her siblings, Travis Martin, Jazmin Baskin-Gray, Jami Rhue-Gray, Brendita Baskin-Gray, and Alicia Carol Anderson; one sister-in-law, Nicole Holmes; two aunts, Janet Cotton and Everlean Wilson; one uncle, Larry Townsend, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.