Laura Wason Holmes

Laura Wason Holmes, 84, of Maddox, MD died Monday, March 7, 2016. Born on March 2, 1932, she was the daughter of Leonard Locke Holmes, Sr., and Dorothy Pogue Holmes. She was the sister of the late Leonard L. Holmes, Jr., Dorothy G. Holmes, Elizabeth L. Holmes, and Francis S. Holmes. She is survived by her sister Ramona Harper (Harry), her nephew Francis B. Johnson, Jr. (Ranee) and her niece Cynthia M. Pratt (Jack), all of Maddox, MD. She was a graduate of Margaret Brent High School class of 1948. Miss Holmes was employed by the National Security Agency (NSA) in Fort Meade, MD as a cryptanalyst for over 40 years. During this time she developed considerable expertise in solving and analyzing code. In 2011, Miss Holmes was inducted into the NSA/CSS Hall of Honor which pays special tribute to the pioneers and heroes who have rendered distinguished service to American cryptology. A Funeral Service will be offered at 10AM, Thursday, March 10th with visitation at 9AM at All Saints’ Episcopal Church Oakley, MD, Rev. Harry T. Harper, officiant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will include, Francis B. Johnson, Jr., Bryan Pratt, Wade Pratt, Michael Johnson, Steven Johnson, and Preston Johnson. Honorary Pallbearers will be JoEllen Pratt, Jennifer Bean, Kayla Pratt, and Evan Pratt. Memorial donations may be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 307 Avenue, MD 20609.