Norma Jean Fitzgerald Holmes, December 24, 1930 — March 01, 2019

Norma’s Obituary 1930 ~ 2019 Norma Jean Fitzgerald Holmes was born to the late Thomas Franklin Fitzgerald and Mary Emma Coleman Fitzgerald on December 24, 1930 in Chester, Pennsylvania. “Jean” as she was affectionately called by family and friends, was called home to be with the Lord on March 1, 2019. Jean was raised in the Baptist Church and she was educated in Pittsylvania County Schools in Virginia.

She spent summers in Chester and fell in love with the City. Jean found a church family in Calvary Baptist Church. Jean previously worked for Seafords Cleaners and Spencer Stationary Store.

She worked for the City of Chester as a Code Enforcer in the Public Safety Department before retiring after almost 20 years. She then worked for the Chester Upland School District as a lunch aide. She also held the position of Republican Committee Woman in 7-2 for a number of years.

Jean married Leo S. Holmes on February 7, 1981. Leo was the first African-American Councilman in the City of Chester. Jean was the Matriarch of the family, and she loved them dearly.

She was an avid gardener and “Do it Yourselfer” before crafts and DIY became a “thing”. She was known city-wide for her beautiful yard, as well as her tomatoes, which she happily “passed over the fence”. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, brothers James Terry, Mark Jones and also “Jim” Fitzgerald who was raised as a brother.

Sisters, Gladys F. Murray and Mary E. Truell and also Aunt Ella Fitzgerald and Aunt Sallie Hill, who helped raise them. Jean is survived by special nieces, Robin and Marilyn Truell. Nephews, Robert Truell and Jason Terry.

Very devoted cousins, Harold Fitzgerald and Thelma Fletcher. Very good friends, Gilbert Bannister, Charlene Burems, Linda Slydell and Robert Naef, great niece Zen Truell, Godson, Kevin Fitzgerald and a host of other family and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to her Graveside Service on Thursday, March 7th at 2:30 PM at Chester Rural Cemetery, 412 W. 15th St., Chester, PA 19013.

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