Thelma Holmes

Miss Captain Thelma Holmes

Esther (Lt Colonel Esther R. Morrow) and I were appointed to the Southern territory in 1967 and soon afterward were appointed to Jacksonville, Florida. We began to hear people talk about Thelma Humphreys. By the time we got to Jacksonville she was an officer and serving in appointments out of the division. But, even as a youth, she cast a long shadow of influence and ministry. I remember saying that I really wanted to meet this person who, from the description, must be a mix between Evangeline Booth and Wonder Woman. As Esther and I moved from appointment to appointment we'd continue to hear about Thelma, or Miss Cap't Humphries, as she was widely known. Salvationist, Lay people and community people would often ask about her or inquire about her whereabouts. It was a long time afterward that we actually met Thelma and her husband Lawrence but when we met a warm and solid friendship soon followed. It was a happy day indeed when we finally were stationed in the same division together and we really got to know one another. That was Florida. We were back there as staff officers and the Holmes were in Daytona Beach. Later we served together again in the Georgia Division. It was there that we were fully convinced of God's hand on these holy and hard-working people. No matter what the circumstances of their appointment was when they got there, and often it was difficult, it was soon better and there were people worshiping and the finances were strengthened. During these days together I learned more about her "stay" in Florence, South Carolina. Every story she told, every memory she recounted, every "character" she mentioned seemed to plead to be written down and shared. It is such a pleasure to know that this has now been accomplished and that we can all share in the Blessings God heaped on those precious souls while Miss Cap't ministered in that delightful city. Danny R. Morrow, Lt. Colonel