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An uncommon woman
By WAVENEY ANN MOORE, Times Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG -- In a splendid gold hat and pants to match, Ella Mary James Holmes was a regal sight at the entrance to the Mahaffey Theater. Her tiny guests from the Happy Workers Children's Center were about to arrive, and she was prepared to hand each a ticket for that morning's Florida Orchestra performance. This particular Thursday marked the beginning of the third season that Mrs. Holmes, 85, had been inviting youngsters to the performances that few of their parents could afford or even find time to appreciate. "I consider this my personal ministry," Mrs. Holmes said after taking her seat behind the children, who had been positioned a hair's breadth from the fascinating preconcert activity on stage. The orchestra outings are typical of the generosity of this former Pinellas County school principal, say those who know her. Though she had no children of her own, she has mothered dozens through the years, they say. Mrs. Holmes' friends also eagerly talk about her hats, love of music, uncompromising professionalism, dignity and reverence for her late father, Chester Lucius James Sr., after whom a section of St. Petersburg is named. "She was always very civic minded," said Emanuel Stewart, who retired as the school system's director of administrative services and was principal of Jordan Park Elementary School, where Mrs. Holmes taught sixth grade. Lena Brown, mother of Realtor Lou Brown, has known Mrs. Holmes since the 1940s. "She grew up here and has encouraged young people in the arts. She loves music," Mrs. Brown said. "She's a caring person," said Mary K. Wilson, a voice teacher and former musician at the Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Peter. A school district employee for 42 years, "she said she would take her own record collection and play for the children, who she knew would not hear classical music otherwise," Mrs. Wilson said. "She has given scholarship money and books for people and does wonderful behind-the-scenes work," said Mrs. Wilson, who became friends with Mrs. Holmes in the mid 1980s, when she walked into St. Peter's to listen to its music. Mrs. Holmes remained and joined several choirs, including an intergenerational group. "She loved singing with the young people," Mrs. Wilson said. "For a number of years, she sang with that group, and the children particularly enjoyed her and loved her because she was nice to them." At the Florida Orchestra's Oct. 24 performance, Mrs. Holmes watched proudly as her guests -- legs outstretched, little feet miles from floor -- settled in for the Coffee Concert series program. Two of the preschoolers covered their ears for a moment when the musicians began to tune their instruments, and Mrs. Holmes remained serene as a little girl turned her chair into a squeaking seesaw, rocking back and forth with childlike glee. Making it possible for the children to attend the orchestra gives her great pleasure, Mrs. Holmes said. "They were going before. Volunteers were taking them now and then; but it wasn't on a regular basis, as it is now. I would see them there in the balcony and I thought it would be something for me to do. They are so well behaved. They are so well dressed. That's what I want others to see, and I want them to have an appreciation of music," she said. Tickets for the concerts are provided free by the Florida Orchestra, she said. "It's a delight having them," said Greg Musselman, the orchestra's public relations director, who squirrels away boxes of complimentary doughnuts for the children to take back to school. Mrs. Holmes, who was born in what was known as Methodist Town but has been renamed Jamestown in honor of her father, learned to appreciate music in her home. "The whole family was into music," she said, adding that she and her siblings performed as the James Four. "And my daddy was the director. We had to practice with the metronome. We just didn't roam like a lot of children. They kept our feet to the fire," she said of her parents. Her mother was a teacher. Her father did a little of everything, including gardening for some of St. Petersburg's most prominent families. Mrs. Holmes adored her father, who became known for pushing voter registration among blacks and spearheading the drive to improve Methodist Town, just west of Ninth Street N, between First and Fourth avenues. Mrs. Holmes said her father didn't have much formal education, but he wanted it for his children. She was valedictorian of her 1934 Gibbs High School class, graduated with honors in three years from Florida A&M University, where she became friends with jazz musician Al Downing, and earned a master's degree from the University of Michigan. Her brother Chester Jr., who died in 1999, was pastor of the historic 10th Street Church of God and was a civil rights activist. Ralph died in 1997. He was a science teacher and music director at Bethel Community Church. Her sister, Kathryn, was a registered nurse. Mrs. Holmes, the only surviving sibling, married a plumber, Linwood Holmes. The marriage ended after eight years. Besides music, she enjoys gardening and has a passion for hats. She owns more than 75. "I invariably like things that are beautiful," she said. A former board member of the Museum of Fine Arts, Mrs. Holmes has traveled often to Europe and at one time flew to New York for Broadway plays and other performances. She continues to attend club meetings, church activities and other events. "I've been wonderfully blessed because of my health. My sister always told me, "You're going to die on the streets,' " she said and laughed. The Old Southeast resident said she wants to remain a contributor to society. "I believe that God wants us to continue to make the world better," she said. She especially wants to continue to expose young people to classical music. "I feel good when they can recognize the instruments. They can learn. One grandmother called in and said she was riding along when her grandson said, "Grandmother, I believe that music is by Mozart.' "
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From the Times South Pinellas desks Dr. Delay Letters |
