Doretha Brumfield Holmes

Affectionately called: Mama, Butter and Suga Mama

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

The world notably changed in 1952 after the Polio Vaccine was first used, the H-bomb
exploded with success, and Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of
Fame. The message of the year in 1952 was "Worthy of Respect" due to the value of
the penny increased the U. S. economy.
In the Spring of 1952, the state of Louisiana was also notably changed on March 31 st
due to the birth of Doretha Brumfield in the Lallie Kemp Hospital in Independence,
Louisiana to the late Jessie and Crecy Brumfield.
Doretha was nurtured and well-beloved by her parents and her siblings: the late Jessie
Jr, Della Mae, the late Jimmy, Savannah, Alean, Ardis, Daisy, Jeremiah, Queen, Morris,
and Lawrence.
Educated in the Tangipahoa Parish School System, in the town of Kentwood, Doretha
attended the O.W. Dillon High School during her early childhood years.
During the times of Desegregation in the State of Louisiana, the Tangipahoa Parish
School System, under court orders, closed many of its black schools and moved those
students into what were once all-white schools. Schools in Ponchatoula, Loranger and
Sumner were predominantly white, while schools in Hammond, Independence, Amite
and Kentwood had become predominantly black.
For the 1969-70 school year in Ward One: The Kentwood School consisted of a
Kindergarten for all students residing near the school and grades 1-3 and 9-12 for all
students in the ward. The O.W. Dillon School consisted of a Kindergarten for all
students residing near the school and grades 4-8 for all students in the ward.
As a result of a court order, Doretha was part of the first integrated Graduating Class of
Kentwood High School in 1970 after Desegregation.
During her formative years, the Brumfield family were members of Levi Temple Church
of God in Christ under the leadership of Superintendent W.M. Levi. The Brumfield
children were all reared in a wholesome environment of holy living and as they all

participated in the local church's activities, Doretha was most noted for singing in the
Choir.
After graduating High School, Doretha decided to expand her territory and moved from
Kentwood to the city of New Orleans. In New Orleans she found a job and on top of
that, she was found by the jewel of her life, Mr. Jewel Holmes, Sr. They fell in love and
were married in 1974. Together the reared and nurtured five, (5) children; LuCrecy,
Monica, Jewel Jr., Angelica, and Daniel.
Doretha moved from Kentwood but she never forgot the way of the Lord and basic
principles of wholesome living. One Sunday, Doretha gathered her family, went to
church and became members of the Macedonia COGIC under the leadership of
Superintendent Dave Jones in New Orleans.
The message given in the United States in 1952 was "Worthy of Respect". Because
that message was given in the year on her birth, today it is applied to the life of Doretha
Brumfield Holmes. She was "Worthy of Respect", she was of great value to her
family, home, church, and community. She worked at Turo Hospital and Security at the
Superdome. She was comical; she loved cooking and feeding all the family and friends
that came her way, especially the homeless. Cooking and baking were her passion - but
there was one family trait Mother Crecy taught her children that Doretha didn't do very
much and that was sewing, but she tried.
Doretha was the sister, the aunt, and the friend who was full of laughter and fun. She
was the GRANDMOTHER friend who knew how to make life issues easier through the
wisdom she had to make life's events comical. She was indeed a champion to her
grandchildren.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Doretha moved back to Kentwood, Louisiana, renewed
her childhood membership at Levi Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership
of Bishop A.V. Jordan. She worked with the Pastor's Aide and Hospitality.
She was preciously preceded in death by her Father and Mother, Jessie and Crecy
Brumfield; two brothers, Jessie Jr. and Jimmy Brumfield; one nephew, Raymond Deleon
Brumfield; Father and Mother-in-law, Sedgie, Sr. and Mary Holmes, four brothers-in-
law; Sedgie, Jr. Harold, Johnnray and Earl; six sisters-in-law, Dorothy, Juanita, Wilma,
Veronica, Bernice and Irene.
She leaves to cherish her memories and legacy, her devout husband, Jewel Holmes,
Sr.; two loving sons, Jewel, Jr., and Daniel; three precious daughters, LuCrecy, Monica,
and Angelica; three brothers; Jeremiah, Morris, and Lawrence; six sisters, Della Mae,
Savannah, Alean, Ardis, Daisy, and Queen; two brothers-in-law, David Holmes; two
sisters-in-law, Betty Robinson and Debra May; one aunt, Irma Gean Banks;
grandchildren, Amber, Brendon, Brandon, Ashley, Ashlynn, Sky, Jewel, 111, Glen, Jr.,
Addisyn, Grayson; great grandchildren, Khole, Am'bella, Brendon, Jr., and a host of
nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.