The BVA National Board of Directors, National Headquarters, and Association members throughout the country were saddened to learn of the passing of Elizabeth “Liz” Holmes of Midland, Georgia, this past Tuesday, August 12.
A dedicated BVA member and leader in both the Georgia Regional Group and nationally, Liz was foremost a friend to all—with perhaps the highest priority reserved for her fellow blinded veterans!
She was a shining light wherever she saw fit to offer her time, energy, expertise, and resources in service to the communities and organizations she deemed most important. She brightened the lives of others as she went about creating new service opportunities for herself and others—then executing them flawlessly.
“Captain Elizabeth Colunga” Holmes was the first woman to be commissioned to the U.S. Army in the Chicago area and the first woman to complete the men’s ROTC obstacle course, beating what was then the men’s record time. She attended both basic and advanced ordnance courses and Airborne school.
Following her military service, where she traveled throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa, Liz worked in nearly every craft as a U.S. Postal worker before retiring in 2014 due to her sight loss. She was a member of four different unions and held the position of State Secretary of the American Postal Workers Union for three years. She was also the State Coordinator for the Post Office Women for Equal Rights (POWER), representing Georgia at national conventions.
Liz assisted in organizing successful BVA state conventions in Georgia the past ten years. As a participant in the March of Dimes Walk since 2005, she asked fellow BVA members to support her in the walk of 2016 to bring awareness to the Columbus Chapter of the Georgia Regional Group. In 2019, she was elected BVA National Treasurer and in 2021 National Secretary.
Liz served on the Mayor’s Commission for People with Disabilities, playing a major role in the expansion of transportation routes and accessibility in the Greater Columbus, Georgia, area.
Liz is survived by her daughter, Bianca, and son, Ben, the latter of whom is well known to BVA members for his service as a BVA National Auxiliary officer for nine years and who never left his mother’s side throughout the past five weeks. Also surviving Liz is her granddaughter, Scarlett.
“When we found out Mom was going blind, we asked her if there was anything she wanted to see or do,” Bianca posted on Facebook earlier this week. “She told us that she had already seen and done so much and not to worry—she never wanted to be the center of attention but she demanded respect and stood up for what was right.”
Funeral services for Liz are planned for Tuesday, August 19 at 2:00pm, McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Boulevard, Columbus, GA 31820.
