Rose Mary Holmes was born to Roosevelt and Estella Holmes at St. Lukes Hospital in Cleveland, on November 4, 1938. Rose Mary attended A. J. Rickoff Elementary School, Alexander Hamilton Jr. High and John Adams Sr. High School, where she obtained the highest academic education level. She attended Notre Dame College where she studied Law Enforcement and Psychology.

She worked as a long-distance operator for the Ohio Bell Telephone Company for several years. Rose Mary joined the United States Air Force in 1957, where she served as an A/ICE-9P) until receiving an honorable discharge. In 1964, she joined the Cleveland Police Department. As a police officer, she received many awards and accolades for her service. In 1972, Rose Mary became the first black female sergeant, a first-line supervisor who planned, assigned, reviewed, and evaluated the work of others. She retired in 1992 after several job injuries.

Rose Mary was an avid music lover and loved to dance. At man social affairs, she worked as DJ ROM. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and working with computers. Above all else she really enjoyed helping people and cooking lavish meals. As a young girl, she attended St. Peters AME Methodist Church, and was a believer with great faith. She loved to celebrate and shared happy memories with her two sisters, Wuanita Jackson and Delores (Bill) Rucker, and a list of other family members and friends. Proceeding her in death are her parents, Roosevelt and Estella Holmes, brothers; Roosevelt, William, Robert Lee and Jimmy, and sisters; Louise, Betty and Evelyn. She leaves to cherish her memories her sister Wuanita Jackson and Delores (Bill) Rucker; a host of nieces and nephews, and three special friends; Kathyrn Whitmore, Lynn Herron and Jackie Harris.