On January 22, 2016, Darrell Edward Holmes entered the gates of Heaven. He was born on October 19, 1934, in Sissonville, WV, the son of the late Russell and Macel Holmes. He was a Christian and attended North Hills Baptist Church in Sissonville. His incredible sense of humor and ornery grin will be missed by all.
Darrell was a 1953 graduate of Sissonville High School and was a member of the undefeated Sissonville Indian Football Team. He was offered a football scholarship at Glenville State, but turned it down to help on his father''s dairy farm. He later joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan where he served as a military policeman. He attended Morris Harvey College and West Virginia State College. He was a Millwright at the Union Carbide Institute plant where he worked 30 years until his retirement in 1989.
Darrell had an incredible love for the State of West Virginia and its people and he had a long and storied career as a public servant. He took pride in being a passionate voice for working class people and was instrumental in improving safety for West Virginia workers. In 1974, Darrell was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates where he served until 1982 when he was elected to the West Virginia Senate. He was respected and revered by those on both sides of the aisle. In 1989, Governor Gaston Caperton appointed him as the 19th Clerk of The West Virginia Senate where he was then continuously elected by the members of its body until his retirement in 2013. As Clerk, he considered himself an ambassador for the State of West Virginia and took great pride in showcasing the capitol to every visitor that walked its halls, especially children.
He was a Mason and member of South Charleston Lodge #168. He was also a member of Beni Kedem Shriners in Charleston.
His love for West Virginia was second only to that of his family. He married the love of life Nell Jean Kiser on January 17, 1958. Upon her death in 2009, he lived with a broken heart until it was mended by their glorious reuniting on Friday. They had three children and seven grandchildren. The birth of his grandchildren was life changing and he was more proud of them than any other accomplishment in his life. He taught us the virtues of hard work, honesty, integrity and loyalty and he was tough in the face of adversity.
He is survived by his son David, daughter in law Kim, and their children Lindsay and Andrew. He is also survived by son Greg, his significant other Debbie, and Greg''s children Tara, Adam and Austin. Additionally, he is survived by his son Eric, daughter in law Heather and their children Brianna and Easton. He is also survived by his beloved sisters, Francis, Carol, Eunice, Dianna, Faye, Anna, and Evelyn. He was preceded in death by his wife Nell Jean, his parents Russell and Macel Holmes, his brother Orville and sister Helen.
We will miss you Papaw.
The family would like to thank the staff at Hubbard Hospice House for their exceptional compassion and care for our father in his final days on earth.
Visitation will be from 5pm-8pm on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at North Hills Baptist Church in Sissonville. There will be an additional visitation from 11am-12pm on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at North Hills Baptist Church with the service at 12pm, and Pastor Mike Harper officiating. Burial to follow at Floral Hills Garden of Memories in Sissonville.