Ian S. Holmes I

Ian Shelly Holmes, I, moved to Heaven and went home with His Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the second son of Virginia Jones Smith, grandson of Thaddeus and Ruth Jones, brother to Chandler Holmes. He was husband to Rev. Dr. Karen E. (Chaney) Holmes, and father of Ian Shelly Holmes, II; Kari Erika Holmes, and Kimberly Holmes each of whom followed their parents’ path and are ordained to ministry.

Ian graduated Olney High School, class of ‘67. He accepted the Lord in 1968 and was a member of Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Philadelphia. Ordained to ministry in 1973 by Rev. Benjamin Smith Sr., he attended United Wesleyan College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biblical & Theological Studies. He was a minister at St. James AME Zion Church in Allentown under The Rev. Dr. A. Addison Cash and later served at Second Baptist in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, under Rev. Jerry J. Hargrove II.

After working at Bethlehem Steel for 18 years, Ian earned a second degree at Touro College and graduated with a B.A. Interdisciplinary Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences with concentrations in Psychology/Sociology. His heart of compassion, concern for the soul salvation of others, dynamic prayers, and sense of humor are just some of the characteristics he was known for.

He is lovingly remembered and survived by the wife of his youth, three children, nephew Julian Holmes, and a host of extended family and friends. A celebration of life service will be held 12 p.m., Saturday, May 13, at Judd-Beville Funeral Home, Inc., 1314 Hamilton St, Allentown, PA 18102. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to Noon.