Joe Lee Holmes, Jr., a much loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, departed this life on Friday, May 17, 2024. He was the last living sibling of the union shared by the late Joe Lee Holmes, Sr. and Carrie Anne Holmes Brookshire. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Tony Holmes.

Born June 10, 1945 in Jacksonville, Florida Joe Lee Holmes, Jr. was educated in the public schools of Homerville, GA. He left home at the age of 18 to live in New Brunswick, New Jersey where he worked for 30 years for Johnson & Johnson until his retirement.

Joe L. Holmes, Jr., will always be remembered for the love he shared with his family, fishing, music, grilling, racing, and friends. Joe's love for music led to him becoming a well-known DJ. He proudly displayed in his "music room," his awards for being voted "Best DJ" for three years in New Brunswick. Joe Lee spent his life providing many friends and families with music for their special occasions.

It was his passion for race cars that led Joe to meet the love of his life, Barbara Jean Sanders, when they met in 1986 at Rainey's Garage. The two of them married in 1989 and remained in New Jersey until their retirement. In 1996, Joe Lee and Barbara moved to her birthplace of Florence, SC. There he worked for 10 more years until his second retirement, this time with South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).

Joe and Barbara found their church home at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Timmonsville, SC. Serving there as a faithful servant until his death, Mr. Holmes was a Trustee, sang on the Male Chorus, worked for the Brotherhood Ministries and served as the official griller of Bethlehem Baptist Church until his health started to decline.

Joe Lee Holmes, Jr. will be survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Barbara Holmes, his surviving children: Ronald (Sheila) Holmes, Joe Lee Holmes, III, Abdul Glover, Gregg Hall and Dra-Shaun (Tracy) Sanders; and a host of adoring grandchildren and great-children; his siblings: Pastor Patricia (Allen) Walker, Mose (Gail) Clayton, Larry (Sharon) Clayton and Carl (Barbara) Clayton; siblings-in-law Henry (Diane) Sanders, Veronica Sargent, Jerry (Omijean) Sanders, Denise Jefferson, Elder John Richardson, Lori Strother, Victoria (Elder Willie) Mullins, Clarence Richardson, Alex (Rebecca) Richardson, Harry Richardson, Joe Lee Richardson, and Ray Richardson. Also to cherish his memory are his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and his special devoted friend Paul Russell.