ROME – Bertha C. Holmes, 95, formerly of Rome, passed away on March 2, 2007 at her residence, The Chenango Valley Home in Norwich.
Born on June 23, 1911 in Vienna, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late James G. and Mary (Meays) Cook.
Bertha was a graduate of Rome Free Academy in 1928 and Syracuse University in 1933, where she received her Liberal Arts degree. Prior to her marriage, she taught English at the Cleveland High School in Cleveland, N.Y. 
On Aug. 20, 1936, she married Reverend Robert U. Holmes at the family home in Fish Creek Landing.  He passed away on July 11, 1968, after serving Methodist pastorates in New London, Beaver Falls, Boonville, Little Falls, Massena and Canton.  At each church, Bertha became very active in church affairs.  After her husband's death, she received a certificate of Religious Education from Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C.   
Bertha was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rome, where she was the director of Religious Education for ten years and a member of the United Methodist Women.  She also belonged to the Golden Years Senior Citizen Group at the church.
Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a brother, Paul Cook, two sisters; Margaret Eckel and Helen Coleman; and her sister-in-law, Marion Holmes.
Survivors include her four sons, John U. Holmes and his wife, Linda, of Hartford, Ambassador James H. Holmes and his wife, Connie, of Springfield, Va., Dr. Thomas R. Holmes and his wife, Dr. Grace Holmes, of Norwich, and Paul M. Holmes and his wife, Sallie, of Silver Springs, Md.; one sister, Mary Baker of Williamstown; one brother, George Cook of Vienna; eight grandchildren, Rachel Lupi-Sher and her husband, David, Rebecca Holmes and her husband, Matthew Wentzel, Robin Holmes, Robert U. Holmes, Ill., Christopher Holmes, Laura Holmes, Andrew Holmes and Caren Holmes; four great grandchildren, Elliot and Ethan  Wentzel and Nicholas and Amelia Lupi-Sher; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call on Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 212 West Embargo Street in Rome.
 Funeral services will be conducted on at 2 p.m., following the calling hour, at the First United Methodist Church in Rome, with the Rev. Jeffrey Childs, pastor, officiating.
 Burial will be in the spring at Fish Creek Landing Cemetery in the town of Vienna.
 The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Memorial Fund of the First United Methodist Church, 212 West Embargo Street, Rome, NY 13440 or the Bertha C. and Robert U. Holmes Scholarship at Africa University, c/o First United Methodist Church, 212 West Embargo Street, Rome, NY 13440 or Bertha C. and Robert U. Holmes Scholarship at Africa University, c/o Broad Street United Methodist Church, Norwich, NY 13815.
 Arrangements are under the direction of the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.