Chief Master Sergeant (Retired) Rufus C. Holman

On April 24, 2022, Retired Chief Master Sergeant Rufus Cornell Holman quietly slept away at the Lexington Medical Center, West Columbia, South Carolina, and was called from labor to rest. He was born on March 5, 1947, in Wheelwright, Kentucky. Rufus was the son of the late Charles Holman, Sr., and his beloved mother, Losie Branham Holman King and bonus father, Charles King.

Rufus was raised in Logan, West Virginia and graduated from Logan High School. Shortly after his high school graduation, he joined the United States Air Force where he faithfully served for 30 years. He was honorably discharged in 1996 after achieving the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. His awards included numerous Air Force Achievement, Commendation, Meritorious and Vietnam Service Medals. Chief Holman then continued his education and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management graduating Summa Cum Laude from Morris College. His subsequent civilian career led him to employment with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, retiring in 2006.

Chief Holman’s 30-year military service to his country took him all around the world. On his last military assignment at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, he met and married the former Jacqueline Durant Crenshaw. They enjoyed extensive travels in and out of the country, dining out, and spending time with family and friends. His most treasured joy was making memories traveling with the grandchildren.

Further, our Rufus had a passion for grilling, reading, and watching National Geographic shows. He had an extremely keen sense of hearing and could hear a mouse walk on cotton. Chief Holman was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Once Rufus transferred to Shaw AFB, he joined and worshiped at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Dalzell, South Carolina. The family eventually relocated to Columbia, South Carolina, where they joined the First Northeast Baptist Church and he continued his lifelong learning in Christian education. His last major exploration out of the country was a trip to Israel to explore the Holy Lands. He did not hesitate to give the group a mini religious/political class on the history of the Pakistani vs. Jordanian culture.

Rufus C. Holman truly loved the Lord and his family. He was known since childhood to his siblings as “Bookie” and to other family and friends as Rufus, Daddy, Chief, Brother Holman, Uncle Chief, and Uncle Daddy Chief but, he most especially adored being called Pa-Pa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Michael Charles Holman.

Those left to cherish his memories are: his loving and devoted wife (whom he called his best and trusted friend & faith partner), Jacqueline Durant Holman; four children, Stephanie Campbell of Severn, Maryland; Tamika Holman of Raleigh, North Carolina; Courtney (Anthony) Jones of Atlanta, Georgia and Rufus Justin “RJ” Holman of Charlotte, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Giselle, Justus, Khaiden, and Natalie; one sister, Stephanie Holman of Huntington, West Virginia; one brother, Ricardo “Ricky” (Doessa) Lewis of Charleston, West Virginia; one aunt, Jackie Branham of Smithfield, North Carolina; a special cousin, Morton Hunt of Dayton, Ohio; an adorable grandnephew and grandniece, Jordan and Sydney Gibbons; his honorary mom, Mother Mary Justice; brothers-in-law, John (Queen) Durant and Feggin (Ethel) Durant; sisters-in-law, Dinnell McCabe, Barbara (George) Gibbons and Gladys Durant; a special cousin, Morton Hunt of Dayton, Ohio and a special daughter, Purusha Weeks; a host of other cousins, military & special friends.