Mrs. Reeda Mae Stephens-Holmes

A Life Well Lived: Reeda Mae Stephens-Holmes (Duncie) was born July 25, 1928 to the late James “Jim” Dixon Sr. and Lillian Dixon in Wrightsville, GA. She was the youngest of four children, all of which preceded her in death: James “Jimmie D” Dixon Jr., Ethel Lee Merriel and Gus Willie Dixon. One daughter, Barbara Jean Stephens, preceded her in death. Reeda being the youngest spent much of her time with her grandmother, Mrs. Mary Etta Jenkins who lived to be 103 years of age while her parents worked. She grew up through turbulent years of the Great Depression and the segregated South but was sustained by the love, strength and devotion of her grandmother who endured physical abuse on the plantation for keeping Reeda in school. She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and love attending church with her grandmother. In 1942, Reeda was united in marriage to the late Curtis Stephens. From this union, five children were born: four girls and one boy. Reeda and Curtis soon moved their young family to Florida where all her siblings migrated later settling in Detroit, Michigan. It was there she started working for Hygrade’s Food Products Corporation in Plymouth, Michigan. She was a “hard, hard worker” just like her grandmother. Her strong work ethic and dedication paid off allowing her to enjoy a life of retirement. Reeda reaffirmed her commitment to Christ and was baptized in 1960 at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan under the late Rev. C.L. Franklin. There she served the Lord faithfully in the ministry of helps on usher board #1. She received the gift of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues during her time at Greater Faith Cathedral under the late Dr. Leonard J. Lyons. From there she served on the mother’s board and intercessory prayer team at Eagles Way Full Gospel Ministries of Detroit, MI under Bishop Vincent D. Claxton (deceased) and Pastor Maria Claxton. Mother Holmes' last stop was New Seasons Ministries under Pastors Retha (daughter) and Cleo (son-in-law) Daniel. Reeda had a particular eye for fashion always detailed from head to toe. She loved gardening, cooking, traveling and most of all spending time with her family. She also liked to decorate during the holiday season. Her home would be decorated from the kitchen to the front door with lights, decadent ornaments, garland, hanging cards, her favorite scented plug-ins and setting the dining room table with fine china. She always mailed Christmas cards with messages of faith and encouragement to uplift others for the upcoming New Year. From generation to generation, she was a blessing providing the best quality of life for her family and always giving to others. She was bold, courageous and tenacious. She was classy and sassy. She always stressed the importance of education, self-improvement and hard work as keys to survival and success. Above all, she leaves a legacy of perseverance and determination that life has NO boundaries with CHRIST! Later, Reeda remarried to Mr. Bennie Frank Holmes (Poppa Bennie) of Mississippi. Together they built a life full of love and laughter before he passed away in December 1989. Reeda departed this life peacefully on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

Mrs. Reeda Mae Stephens-Holmes

July 25, 1928 - January 3, 2019