Miss Captain

About the Book

Esther (Lt Colonel Esther R. Morrow) and I were appointed to the Southern territory in 1967 and soon afterward were appointed to Jacksonville, Florida.

We began to hear people talk about Thelma Humphreys. By the time we got to Jacksonville she was an officer and serving in appointments out of the division. But, even as a youth, she cast a long shadow of influence and ministry. I remember saying that I really wanted to meet this person who, from the description, must be a mix between Evangeline Booth and Wonder Woman.

As Esther and I moved from appointment to appointment we’d continue to hear about Thelma, or Miss Cap’t Humphries, as she was widely known. Salvationist, Lay people and community people would often ask about her or inquire about her whereabouts.

It was a long time afterward that we actually met Thelma and her husband Lawrence but when we met a warm and solid friendship soon followed. It was a happy day indeed when we finally were stationed in the same division together and we really got to know one another. That was Florida. We were back there as staff officers and the Holmes were in Daytona Beach.

Later we served together again in the Georgia Division. It was there that we were fully convinced of God’s hand on these holy and hard-working people. No matter what the circumstances of their appointment was when they got there, and often it was difficult, it was soon better and there were people worshiping and the finances were strengthened.

During these days together I learned more about her “stay” in Florence, South Carolina. Every story she told, every memory she recounted, every “character” she mentioned seemed to plead to be written down and shared.

It is such a pleasure to know that this has now been accomplished and that we can all share in the Blessings God heaped on those precious souls while Miss Cap’t ministered in that delightful city.

Danny R. Morrow, Lt. Colonel

About the Author

Thelma Humphreys Holmes (Major Thelma Holmes) has for many years successfully combined the role of wife, mother, with that of Salvation Army Officer, preacher, teacher, musician, and social worker.

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Major Thelma Holmes is a second generation Salvationist, a graduate Corps Cadet and a member of the Founder's Guard. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a double major in Music and Education, worked on her Master's in Early Childhood at the International University of Miami, Florida, and attended the School for Officers' Training in Atlanta, Georgia. She served as a Corps Officer in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Major  Humphreys married Captain Lawrence Holmes from Chico, California in 1966.

They have one daughter, Melody, who teaches at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Since retirement, the Holmes’ have traveled extensively in Eastern Europe, Russia, China, Central and South America and Scandinavia doing meetings and giving out Bibles. They were pastors at Sea from Chile to New York.

She tells her story with deep love and sensitivity developed while serving her people in one appointment for 17 years.

Major Thelma Holmes retired with 46 years of faithful service.