Cornelius Holmes

Cornelius Holmes, 67, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully Monday morning, July 14, 2025, in his home, surrounded by his beloved wife.

Cornelius was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, on January 16, 1958, to the late Shedrah Holmes and Lynell Evans. He graduated from Farrell Area High School, where he served as Junior Class President and a standout athlete. He went on to attend Robert Morris University, where he became one of the first basketball players to receive a D1 athletic scholarship. He earned a degree in accounting and continued to pursue his basketball dreams.

He worked in banking as an auditor for decades before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, where he worked for the Shenango Valley Urban League. He was dedicated to giving back to the community that helped shape him into the man that he became.

He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age. He learned to survive and rise above challenges and barriers. He was a member of Ruth A.M.E. Zion Church in Sharon, where he served on the Board of Trustees.

Cornelius loved his family fiercely. Affectionately known to many as “Bootsy” or “Corny,” he was a loving husband and a devoted girl dad to his cherished daughters. He was their biggest supporter on and off the basketball court. Cornelius was a gentle giant whose charisma and charm captivated all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In January 2018, he was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. For seven and a half years, he fought the good fight, never letting his diagnosis hold him back. He lived his life to the fullest, traveling, attending concerts, enjoying long walks, taking selfies, and building precious memories with friends and family. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Cornelius was preceded in death by his parents.

He leaves behind his beautiful wife, Myrna (Malone) Holmes; two children, Courtney Holmes, of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Jordan (Slater Long) Holmes, of Lansing, Michigan; sister, Cynthia Martin, and nephew Christian Walker, both of Farrell, Pennsylvania; aunts, Eloise Bennett, Jewely Barnes, and Carolyn Wager-Felix, all from Massachusetts; a niece, great nephews, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and a host of cousins, teammates (brothers), as well as dear friends.

A Homegoing Service in his honor will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at Ruth A.M.E. Zion Church, 95 West Connelly Blvd., Sharon, PA 16146, where family and friends may gather and pay their respects from 10:00 to 11:00. He will be laid to rest in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made payable to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org).

Expressions of sympathy may be left for his family at: www.bricelandfuneralservice.com

Coordination of this tribute for Mr. Holmes was presented by Daniel Briceland, Owner & Director of Briceland Funeral Service, LLC, Brookfield, Ohio. (330-509-3135)