Victoria Wells

Victoria Lynn Wells-Holmes, known to many as “Vickie”, has moved on to be with the Lord. Victoria passed peacefully on April 16th 2024 at the age of 71. After falling faint at work the day before and being medi-vacced to GW Hospital in Washington D.C., she departed this life with all of her children and lots of family by her side loving her, holding her hands and wishing her well. Vickie was born June 24th 1952 in Washington D.C. to her late parents Theodore and Evelyn Wells.

Victoria was a faithful and dedicated woman of God as well as a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Always kind and charitable to all; friends, family and strangers. Her vibrant and cheerful personality touched the lives of all who knew her. If she loved someone, she would fight for them as fiercely as any woman on earth has ever fought. Kind, caring, and genuine, Vickie was a warrior at heart. A constant and reliable ‘prayer’ warrior who would pray for you, with you or over you without hesitation at a moment’s notice. She fought and tried her best for her faith and family each day.

Vickie, among a large group of 12 brothers and sisters, was raised in the Riggs Park neighborhood of Northeast Washington D.C.. She had a great childhood with loving parents and enjoyed her role as eldest sister. Some of her hobbies were cheerleading, dancing and singing. Making lead cheerleader in junior high, singing in a girl band in high school and doing her favorite dances at all the neighborhood and school functions were among her fondest memories. Always popular and gregarious from a young age, Vickie’s bright smile and vibrant demeanor were unforgettable.

As a fifth generation Washingtonian, she was a dedicated part of the heart and soul of her community. She loved her neighbors and was infused with an energetic passion for helping in the community. Whether it was checking in on the elderly, giving rides or bringing food, Vickie was always there for her friends. Her commitment to Block 8 and the District of Columbia as a whole was truly inspiring. Victoria attended school at Jessie B. Lasalle Elementary, Bertie Backus Junior High and graduated from Calvin Coolidge High School in 1970.

1970 marked the beginning of Victoria and her future husband Brian Holmes’ wonderful journey together. A chance encounter as she was exiting the elevator at her place on Rhode Island Avenue during the summer after high school graduation. They fell in love and their union was sealed in matrimony when they exchanged vows at St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Northwest D.C., on June 3rd 1972. They remained married for the duration of 52 years. Together they loved and lived for her 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Vickie gave her life to God in the mid to late 70’s, spending endless hours studying the bible and listening to audio of her favorite preachers. She changed her life and tried to help others to do the same. Never turning back, she enjoyed: organizing bible studies and praise meetings, overnight prayer and praise vigils, teaching Sunday school classes at church, organizing and cooking large family fellowship dinners. She’s been at her latest church home, the Bible Lighthouse in Clinton Maryland, for more than 20 years attending faithfully every Saturday. The annual King's Tea event on Mother's Day was one of her favorite events to coordinate. She loved her church family dearly and delighted in creating cherished moments of community and togetherness there.

In professional life, Victoria worked foremost as an avowed advocate for fair housing, equal opportunity employment, community development and public health reform.

Some highlights of her career include:

Being appointed in 1982 by Illinois Governor James Thompson’s administration to the state of Illinois’ Human Rights Department, where she worked on many civil rights employment discrimination cases.

In 1984 she was appointed by then President Ronald Reagan’s administration to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as the Executive Assistant to the General Deputy Assistant Secretary. Here she served as the principal management officer of operations for 120 public housing employees. She was also appointed manager of HUD’s Federal Womens Program which established sexual harassment training for HUD managers.

In 1989, with an entrepreneurial spirit, she started her own Christian apparel company called ‘His Image Wear’. She sold Christian clothing, jewelry and other accessories by mail order catalog as well as operating a shop at the Iverson Mall in Temple Hills, Maryland.

From 1993 thru 1998 Victoria served 3 terms as an elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for Ward 4B in the Lamond Riggs section of Washington D.C.. Representing her beloved Riggs Park, she helped to provide the residents with a greater say in matters that affected them most. Notably during her time as an ANC she successfully negotiated funding for the first ever ‘community managed’ recreation center in D.C., the Lamond Recreation Center which was later constructed in 2006.

Also in 1994 out of her abundance of love for the city, she decided to run for mayor. She put her all into the campaign and deeply appreciated all of the help from the many neighborhood volunteers that assisted her.

Starting in 1997 thru 2009 she worked as a lobbyist and state government relations director for the American Cancer Society. Undoubtedly driven by memories of her own mothers struggle with the disease, Victoria was most proud to be the lead lobbyist for legislation that became law in

2005-06 making Washington D.C. smoke-free as well as obtaining millions of dollars in funding for programs fighting cancer and smoking in D.C. and Maryland.

From 2010 up to the day she passed she was an invaluable and dedicated part of the front office team at Patuxent Elementary School in Upper Marlboro Maryland. She loved the children there as well as all of her co-workers very much.

Vickie was very modest in her free time, finding joy in family oriented activities. She had genuine affection for sunny days at the beach, antique store excursions, outdoor lunches with family and especially pancake breakfasts in bed on the weekends. Going for a long walk and maybe discovering a nice new Thai or Sushi restaurant was her idea of a good time. And of course she loved her movies and shows. Among her favorites were: The Three Stooges, Boston Legal and Bourne Identity. What she loved most however was just visiting family or being visited to just hang out, talk and laugh. Vickie was a great friend. She was always around; reaching out, calling or texting. Never missing a birthday, her constant checking in and stopping by will be missed so much by us all.

2nd Corinthians Chapter 5, Verse 17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Victoria Lynn Wells-Holmes is now, most assuredly, In Christ!

Victoria is Survived by:

husband-

Brian Carlton Holmes

children-

Brian Holmes and Christina Ferrari-Holmes

Jaycea and Gemeniece Cole

Lauren and Lawrence Washington Sr.

Wendy Holmes

grandchildren-

China Yates

Jaycea Cole Jr.

Victoria Holmes

Dorien Smith

Justin Cole

Christian Harden

Ava Kaigler

Chance Harden

Laila Washington

great granddaughter-

Luna Jones

life long friend-

James Cole

siblings-

Cheryl Wells and Kim Dixon-Wells

Carol Wells

Evonne Wells-Taylor

Ricardo Wells

Ted Wells

Toki Wells

Theodore Wells

Darlene Wells

Carol Williams-Price

Ted Sonny Wells

As well as a cherished host of cousins, nephews and nieces.

Preceded by:

parents-

Theodore “Teddy” Wells

Evelyn Julia Wells

brother-

Vaughn Wells

Matthew Chapter 25, Verse 23 -

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Rest In Peace Ma, Grandma Vickie, Sister Vickie, Aunt Vickie. Until we meet again…