Helen M. Vereen Holmes

Helen M. Vereen Holmes

Helen Marie Vereen Holmes was born in Trenton, NJ, on March 29, 1938. She peacefully entered God’s heavenly kingdom on Monday, December 9, 2024, at the age of 86. She is the fifth child born to Fred Sr. and Ellen Rice Vereen (deceased). A 1956 Trenton Central High School graduate, she continued her education at Trenton Junior College (Mercer County Community College). She received an associate degree and matriculated at Rider College (Trenton), now Rider University in Lawrence Township, New Jersey.

Her professional career began at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, NJ, as an administrative assistant for the Director of Publication. Later, she became an administrative assistant at Princeton Theological Seminary Spear Library.Then, she was employed by the International School Services as the candidate coordinator for applicants seeking international teacher/staff positions.

She later accepted a position at the Princeton Community Park School as an administrative assistant to the principal for its community relation endeavors. After leaving this position, she transitioned to a career with the Lawrence Township municipal government as its Housing and Neighborhood Preservation Program Coordinator.

In 1989, Helen was appointed to the Office of Aging and the Senior Center as its Executive Director. In this position, she was instrumental in the planning, developing, and construction of the senior center edifice in 1991. Under her leadership, the senior center aided in meeting the needs of the growing senior population in Lawrence Township. She retired in 2005 after 17 years of service.

Over the years, she served the community by continuously participating in community activities and organizations. She was an advocate for Mercer County migrant workers, served on the Trenton Faith in Action - Special Events Committee, and volunteered with InterFaith Caregivers, Greater Eldridge Park Neighborhood Association, Zonta International, HomeFront, and League of Women Voters. Helen also served as District 3 Democratic Committee Woman and Past President of the Eggerts Crossing Civic League. She received numerous appreciation awards and recognitions from New Jersey Daughter of Elks, Bronzettes Inc., Lawrence Board of Education, Lawrence Township American Legion Post 414, and was recipient of the Eggerts Crossing Civic League Inc. Lifetime Achievement Award.

She is a former member of Union Baptist Church, where she was the founder and chairperson of the Ladies Guild and the Homeless Ministry. She was the church clerk and co-chairperson of the Women’s Day celebration. She later joined Shiloh Baptist Church, where she served on the Deaconess Ministry.

For the last 64 years, she has been married to her high school sweetheart and beloved husband, William B. Holmes Sr. They had four children: Mark W. (Marella), Allen C. (deceased), Traci M. (Jonathan Coleman), and William B. Jr. (Bernell) and ten grandchildren: Jessica Marie, Jonathan II, Maleah, Jacob, Mark Jr., Jada Helen Marie, Brandon, Jamaya, Brielle, and William III. She was predeceased by her brothers, James C. Vereen and Frank Edward (Big Ed) Vereen and sister Mae (Vereen) Harley. She leaves to cherish her memory her siblings Fred Vereen Jr, Leola (Vereen) Ford, Harold Vereen, and Olivia (Vereen) Leggett, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Helen Marie Vereen Holmes will be remembered as a pillar of strength, a beacon of faith, and a servant of her community. Her legacy of love, dedication, and grace lives on through all who had the honor of knowing her.

Funeral service will be 1pm Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 340 Rev. S. Howard Woodson Jr Way, Trenton, NJ 08618. Calling hour will be 12pm until time of service. Interment will be at Fountain Lawn Memorial Park, Ewing, NJ.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen M. Vereen Holmes, please visit our floral store.