Elizabeth "Beth" Claire Holmes

May 8, 1948-October 26, 2013

Columbus, GA- Elizabeth "Beth" Claire Holmes, resident of Columbus, passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at Columbus Hospice House. Funeral services are scheduled at Wynnbrook Baptist Church,500 River Knoll Way, Columbus on Thursday, October 31, 2013, 1:00 pm ,with Reverend (Dr.) Brad Hicks and Reverend (Dr.) Geoffrey Hammond officiating, according to Striffler-Hamby, 4071 Macon Road ,Columbus. Interment will follow at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Road, Columbus. At the conclusion of the service at the cemetery there will be a reception for family and friends at Wynnbrook Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Mrs. Holmes, daughter of Evelyn Johnson Dudley and the late Col. Eldridge C. Dudley, was born May 8, 1948 in Sapporo, Japan. She was a graduate of Brenau College, Gainesville, Ga., receiving her Bachelors Degree and later graduated from Columbus State University, where she received a Master's Degree. Mrs. Holmes began her career as a teacher in the Muscogee County School System, was Director of Early Childhood Development at Ft. Benning, Ga. consulted with IBM on the development of early childhood educational software, and later served as Director of the Technology Center for Columbus State University. Mrs. Holmes was also part of Gov. Roy Barnes' administration in the Dept. of Education. Before retiring Mrs. Holmes was a consultant for the Ft. Benning school system and was an adjunct professor for Kaplan University.

Mrs. Holmes was a longtime member of Wynnbrook Baptist Church and was actively involved in the Women's Christian Organization of Columbus and Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. Mrs. Holmes was a nationwide speaker for education associations on reading technology for early education. She was preceded in death by her father.

Mrs. Holmes is survived by her mother, Evelyn Johnson Dudley of Columbus, her husband of 44 years, Charles M. Holmes of Columbus; one son, Taylor Holmes and his wife Danielle of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; one sister, Jan Dudley Austin and her husband Steven of Nashville, Tennessee; one grandson, Gabriel Holmes; other relatives and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Sound Choices, 1316 Wynnton Court, Columbus , Georgia 31906. Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com.