A memorial service for the Marine veteran who killed her three children at their Cobb apartment and then ended her own life is scheduled for Friday morning at a southwest Atlanta church.
Temple of Christ Pentecostal Church at 1911 Venetian Dr., S.W., will hold services at 10 a.m. It is being organized by a group of female veterans who were friends with Kisha Holmes and formed a close bond with her through their experience in a homeless veterans program at the Mary Hall Freedom House.
Those who knew Holmes say she was a devoted mother and they have been shocked by her death and and slaying of her children. The group is expecting a good turnout from local veterans and friends.
“It’s a celebration of her life and the children’s,” said Dawn L. Jackson, a veteran who was among a sisterhood of female veterans who bonded with Holmes at Mary Hall in 2013.
They stayed close and supported each other as they coped, like Holmes, with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The veteran community, which has been struggling with an epidemic of suicide, has been reaching out to the women since news of Holmes’ death spread following the discovery of the bodies at Holmes’ Austell apartment on Jan. 27.
Holmes’ family is expected to hold formal funeral services in North Carolina for Holmes and two of the children sometime in the coming weeks. They are still trying to figure out how they are going to manage the cost and logistics of the funerals of multiple family members at once.
They had been frustrated by the lack of response from the VA, but after meeting with leadership at the Atlanta VA Wednesday and telling their story, the agency on Thursday responded with some signals that Holmes' aunts found hopeful. The family is also seeking answers about the treatment Holmes received from VA, which has yet to provide many explanations.
“Because of the attention, they are trying to get on top of things and help us as much as they can,” said Gloria Miller, an aunt from New York.
She added, “The proof is in the pudding. We still don’t know the outcome.”
Asked for comment about the situation, VA Atlanta spokesman Greg Kendall said:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this very difficult time. We cannot comment on the specific details of this case; however, burial benefits are available through the Veterans Benefit Administration and the National Cemetery Administration and all eligible benefits will be made available.”
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