United States Air Force Veteran, Minister John Marcellus Holmes of 911 North 11th Street, Cordele, Georgia, died on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Brightmoor Hospice in Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the sanctuary of the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Cordele, Georgia.  The burial, with military honors, will follow at the Bethel Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.

John Marcellus Holmes, a devoted man of God, a dedicated patriot, and a pillar of his family, transitioned from labor to reward on Monday, April 20, 2026. Born on June 14, 1970, in Dougherty County, Georgia, John was the son of the late Norman and Tempie Holmes. He was reared with profound love and guidance by his beloved grandmother, the late Lue Ellen Lane Porter.

John's journey was rooted in excellence and service. He was educated in the Dougherty County Public School system and was a proud 1988 graduate of Monroe Comprehensive High School. Following his graduation, John answered the call of duty, enlisting in the United States Air Force. He served with honor and distinction from 1988 to 1993, attaining the rank of Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge.  Ever a student of life and technology, he continued his education at South Georgia Tech, completing his course of study in Computer Science in 1998.

Raised in a Christian home, John was introduced to Jesus Christ at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. His spiritual journey later led him to Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, where he served with unwavering humility and zeal. Throughout the years, he served as a Men's Sunday School teacher, a member of the Deacon Board, and a faithful voice in the Mount Calvary Gospel Ensemble.  Minister Holmes had a heart for the youth, organizing the Junior Deacon Board and serving as an advisor to the Junior Usher Board. Ultimately, he accepted his divine call into the Ministry, continuing to serve the Lord's people faithfully until his passing.

On September 24, 1994, John married the love of his life, the former Carrie Porter. Together, they built a life centered on faith and family. Known affectionately by many as "Mr. Holmes" or "Pee Pa," John was a constant source of strength and wisdom.  Never a stranger to work, he was ever a faithful co-worker to his City of Vienna family.  He was also a die-hard Atlanta Falcon fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Tempie Holmes; his grandmother, Lue Ellen Lane Porter; and his brothers, Adrian Holmes and Johnathan Holmes.

Cherished memories of his life are left to his wife, Carrie Porter Holmes  of Cordele, Georgia; his children, Tempest Holmes and  Jeremy Johnson of Cordele, Georgia; his grandchildren, Kyrie M. Holmes, Ja'Quavion Jackson, Jermaine Harvey, Rontavious Lester, and Roniah Lester; five great-grandchildren; his sisters, Wanda Holmes of Phoenix, Arizona and Leigh (Marquis) Glenn of Douglasville, Georgia; a niece whom he reared, Matosha Porter and her children, Z'hane Bradford and Zachery Bradford of  Byron, Georgia; a nephew whom he reared, Terance Arnold; his aunt, Mattie M. Callaway of Atlanta, Georgia; his in-laws, Ruby Colson, Alton Biggins, and CJ Brown of Cordele, Georgia, Brenda Porter of Orlando, Florida, and Patricia Brown of Winter Haven, Florida; many other  nieces and nephews, to include, Debra Porter; his cousins, DeEtta Lane, Gwen Lane, DeShannon (Dennis) Lowe, Janie Porter & children, and The Pope Family; his god daughters, Melissa Smith & children and Ayesha Owens; his best friend, Vance Adams of Albany, Georgia; a host of other relatives; his caretakers, Keisha Johnson and Shantae Johnson, Reverend Isaac & Minister Kathleen Owens, Deacon Leon & Minister Kathy Spears, Deacon Ray & Deaconess  Linda Rollins, Deacon Emmett & Deaconess Debra Graham and the  Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Family, Reverend Douglas & Mrs. Lillie  Parham, and Deacon Kelwin Jackson and a multitude of friends and neighbors whose lives he touched.