Carolyn Marie Holmes was born on November 23, 1948, to the late Lloyd and Helen King Holmes in Leesburg, Virginia. Carolyn gained her wings on Friday, March 14, 2025. The second eldest of nine children, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness and strength.

Carolyn began her primary education at the segregated Carver Elementary School in Purcellville, VA. She continued her secondary education at the historic Douglass High School in Leesburg, VA, before transferring and graduating from Loudoun Valley High School, in Purcellville, VA. She was a member of the second class to integrate Loudoun Valley. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. After graduation she worked at the Pentagon before starting her 31-year career at the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). After retiring from NALC, she worked briefly at the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM), until she was forced into early disability. Despite her medical challenges, she never complained.

Carolyn was a member of Heritage Fellowship Church, where she always enjoyed the choir and participating in community activities. One of her favorite outreach programs was the annual Angel Tree Gift Tag program at Christmas, which allowed her to give back to those in need.

An avid reader, Carolyn was known always having a book in her hand and several more on hold at Reston Library. Known as the family encyclopedia, she often helped her many nieces and nephews with homework and school projects. She loved to travel, and her happy place was the beach. Nothing gave her greater joy than spending time with her granddaughter, whom she lovingly called "Sweets."

Carolyn leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters, Anissa Holmes and Ashley Wallace (Andy); her granddaughter Anaiya Cerda; sisters Geraldine Smith (Charles (deceased)), Paulette Wright (Ernest), and Michele Birgans; her brother Lloyd Holmes, Jr. (Debra); brother-in-law Gerald Bailey; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Helen Holmes; and her sisters Sandra Chapman, Loretta Bailey, Pamela Holmes, and Marsha Taylor.