Russell Sherrod Holmes

Russell Sherrod Holmes, Sr. was born on February 25th, 1969 in Elizabeth, New Jersey to Mr. Sidney R. Holmes, Sr. and Mother Ora L. Holmes. Russell “Sherrod” was a member of The Supreme Council of the House of Jacob from birth. As a young man, he learned to play the saxophone and was a gifted musician. He and his older brother Sidney, Jr. loved playing the saxophone and traveled as much as they could to different missions to share their gifts. He also loved to sing and in his youth was a member of the all-male singing group “The Joy Givers” of North Edison, NJ and later a lead singer of the Israelite Singers in New Haven. He graduated from Elizabeth High School in New Jersey in 1987. During his high school years, he played the saxophone for the Elizabeth High School Marching Band and he was also a player on the basketball team. Shortly after graduation, he moved to New Haven, CT. Sherrod was a hard working young man. At the age of 16, he got his first job at Elizabeth General Hospital. After arriving in New Haven, he immediately secured work at Stop & Shop Warehouse and remained employed there for over 16 years. He would later serve as Warehouse Supervisor for Roche, Inc. for about 9 years. Most recently, he was hired as a Supervisor at the Coca-Cola Company where he flourished very quickly. Sherrod loved working with the youth. He coached AAU basketball for many years and was very active, not only with his own children, but with the children around the city. He was known as Coach Sherrod. Among many gifts, he was blessed in song. He would often sing at the drop of a hat, whether it was at home, at church, and even at work. He was also known to many as one of the best grill masters around. He grilled for his job functions, his family, friends and his church. People loved his cooking. Sherrod was always proud of his naturally curly hair. In his younger days he would call himself, “Pretty Ricky”. He was a man of many names; Russell, Sherrod, Russ, Homie, Gus, Rowdy, Bucktown, just to name a few. Although, he may have been a man of many names, he was a man of one purpose - uniting people together for the common good. He had a way of making people feel comfortable, and loved to see people eating and enjoying each other’s company. Sherrod loved his family and almost singlehandedly assumed responsibility for bringing the Holmes Family together for its first official family reunion in over 20 years. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife Cheri Hall-Holmes, his parents Mr. Sidney R. Holmes, Sr. and Mother Ora L. Holmes. His children, Shondell Lationnah (NJ); Tyrice Lamont (NJ); Kyle (CT) Precious (CT); Jayden Russell and Russell Sherrod, Jr. (CT). He also leaves behind his siblings, Mrs. Latanya M. Holmes-Washington (Dana) of NJ, Mrs. Veronica L. Franklin (Trevor) of CT, Bro. Sidney R. Holmes, Jr. & Major T. Holmes of NJ, St. Ronnetta B. Holmes of CT, 11 nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends. *There are angels all around us, and we often do not notice them until it is too late; before you make a mistake that will affect yours or others life, ask yourself; “What would Sherrod do?”* 

Russell Sherrod Holmes

February 25, 1969 - January 30, 2016