Paul Joseph Holmes

Mr. Paul Joseph Holmes, Sr., 88, resident of Ridgecut Road in Early Branch, husband of the late Judith "Judy" Bowen Holmes, passed away Thursday morning, March 27, 2025, at his home.

Paul Joseph Holmes was born to Joseph Simpson and Virlie Vaughan Holmes on April 19, 1936. He graduated from Beaufort High School, and then Clemson University (A&M) with a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture. At Clemson, he was also Drum Major and played the trumpet for the Tiger Band.

After graduation, he took a position with Ridgeland High School teaching and directing band. It was 1960 when he met and married his beauty queen,  Miss Jasper County, Judith Bowen: a love story for the ages in Jasper County.

They moved to Sylvania, Ga where he spent two years reviving their High School Marching Band. By 1962 they had moved to Beaufort SC, where he directed the Beaufort High School Marching band and their first two children, Charlotte and Paul jr., were born.

In 1964 Paul and Judy moved to Hampton where he directed the Wade Hampton Red Devils Marching Band and began a small plant nursery on his family's land.

His plant nursery opened doors to begin working at a small sea island development called Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head Island. By 1969 their next two children, Julie Ann and Alan, were born and the decision was made to move to Hilton Head.

Once on HHI the need for employees was great and so Paul launched the first Lowcountry Transit by purchasing a school bus, embellishing it with his company name, and brought in his employees from nearby Jasper county, creating opportunities for the unemployed.

Hilton Head was a rapidly growing community and Paul and Judy quickly became involved! They soon helped birth the island's first Jaycees chapter. This group purchased the first ambulance and Paul trained and became an educator for the island's first Emergency Medical Rescue squad. Through the years he would become a paramedic and train 100s of EMT's for what would become the largest volunteer rescue squad in the state.

The Holmes family life revolved around the children's school and athletics, little league, various volunteer opportunities, close friends and neigbors, and of course Judy's supper every night at 6:00! Paul was always there on time, unless an emergency on the island had called him away.

Paul won many awards for his service to the island, but perhaps none more prestigious than the Alice Glenn Doughtie Good Citizen Award in 1977.

In 1984, the whole island seemed to rejoice as Paul and Judy gave birth to their fifth child, a late life baby, Joseph! Soon after, they were called to move off the island and raise their pride and joy in the country.

They moved to wide open acres near the small town of Yemassee SC, and began building their Lowcountry home. He continued landscaping at nearby Bray's Island, and also began raising various farm animals.

When son Joseph turned 16, he became a Junior Firefighter. This drew Paul back into duty, and he became active in rescue work once again "saving lives on I-95!"

His rescue work led him to begin bringing many stranded travelers back to his home. Judy welcomed one and all for coffee, a meal, or even an overnight stay. Together, hospitality was their specialty. The stories of his and Judy's unexpected, yet welcomed guests, are endless!

Never one to sit still, even in 'retirement', Paul was recognized for his leadership in the community.

Once they had moved to this Hampton County community, Paul and Judy joined Ridgeville Baptist Church where he began leading the choir and keeping the doors open for approximately 25 years.

Paul was known far and wide for his community service, his heart to encourage and lift up the down trodden, as well as his presence at many local animal auctions. His fierce handshake, and servant heart made him a favorite of all who knew him. And he was fondly known for his neverfailing reply "I'm always good!"

He was a man of integrity, kindness and perseverance. His faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, led the way for him to "Love the Lord Thy God  and your neighbor as yourself." If you knew him, you knew he exemplified these words in everything he did.

Paul is pre-deceased by his bride of 63 years, Judith Bowen Holmes.

Surviving are his children Charlotte Murray (David), Paul Joseph Holmes, jr. (Robin Hutchins), Julie Ann Carter (David), Alan Thomas (Tracey Ayer) and Joseph Simpson (Michelle Lott) and 23 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren who called him "Papa". He was gentle and playful with them to the very end and will be greatly missed by all.

Memorials may be made to the Cemetery Fund at Family Bible Fellowship of Early Branch, SC.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in the Sand Hill Baptist Church located at 15480 Pocotaligo Rd., Varnville, SC 29944. Burial will follow in the Joseph Holmes Memorial Cemetery c/o Family Bible Fellowship in Early Branch.

A visitation will be from 5 PM - 7 PM Friday, April 4, 2025, at the funeral home located at 300 Mulberry St. W., Hampton, SC 29924.

Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home is assisting the Holmes family during this time.