Reverend James Edward Holcomb transitioned home to be with the Lord on December 30, 2025 at his residence in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the youngest of six children born to the late William Holcomb, Sr. and Mattie Wiley Holcomb in Prince Edward County, Virginia. He joined the Triumph Baptist Church at an early age and the church was instrumental in developing his faith in God and his journey with Christ.

Although Prince Edward County locked him out of a public education in 1959, God opened other doors. He was able to attend Charlotte County schools until his return to R. R. Moton High School where he graduated in 1968. After high school he joined the United States Army where he proudly served his country as a soldier from 1969 - 1971. While in the military he served one year in Vietnam. After the military, he attended Virginia State University where he received a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education and a Master’s Degree in Supervision and Administration. He was also a member of the Virginia State baseball team.

In 1973 while a student at Virginia State University he met the love of his life, his sweetheart, Dorothy Lockett. They were married in 1974 and spent 52 years of love together. Where you saw one, you would see the other. Born to this union were two daughters, Leanda and Cicely.

During his life Reverend Holcomb served many roles in the church and community. As a member of Triumph Baptist Church he sang in the choir and served as a Deacon. He was also a founding member of The Echoes of Glory and sang with them for thirteen years until he was called by God into the ministry. To further his knowledge in theology he attended the International Seminary and received diplomas in Practical Theology and Advanced Practical Theology. Reverend Holcomb then went on to pastor Beautiful Plain Baptist Church in Charlotte Courthouse, Virginia for 27 years before retiring due to illness. In the community he played for the Farmville All Stars softball team, was a member of the Virginia State Alumni Association as well as a lifetime member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Iota Tau Lambda Chapter.

Reverend Holcomb worked at Prince Edward County High School for thirty-two years serving in many capacities. He taught health and physical education and driver’s education; served as Athletic Director, as a student mediation coordinator and as Administrative Assistant to the principal; he coached football, softball and basketball. To this day he is still referred to as “Coach”. Coach Holcomb would always say “I never met a bad student, only those that needed a little direction.” In addition to his ministry and teaching he also owned and operated Holcomb’s Driver Improvement School all while working as a part time Deputy for the Prince Edward County Sheriff's Department.

Reverend Holcomb was a loyal servant to God and fought to continue his ministry. However, due to health challenges and to be closer to the grandchildren, he relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2019.

Reverend Holcomb is preceded in death by his parents William and Mattie Holcomb; sister Bernice Holcomb; and brother William Holcomb, Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 51 years Dorothy Lockett Holcomb; two daughters Leanda Williams and Cicely (Terrance) Nelson both of Minneapolis Minnesota; brothers Amos (Sophronia) Holcomb and George (Mary) Holcomb, Sr of Washington DC; sister Susie Henry of Maryland; seven grandchildren - Morgan, Kyler, Alese, Kaylin, Mya, Aliviya and Myles; sister-in-law Otelia Goode of Prospect, Virginia; brother-in-laws Macy (Gloria) Lockett of Prospect Virginia and Reverend Edward Lockett of Charlotte North Carolina; former son-in-law and always family Scott Eames of Kansas City, Missouri. He also leaves to cherish his memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.