Jerry Holmes Guilford, Sr.

Jerry Holmes Guilford, Sr. passed away peacefully on May 13, 2022, at the home that he shared with his loving wife of 59 years, Patsy Guilford, in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of     Brooklyn, New York. Jerry was a larger-than-life figure amongst his family and his community. When   Jerry walked into any room you knew he was there. Although he will be missed by many, his memories, love, and words of wisdom will live on forever.

Jerry was born on November 1, 1943, to the late Dave Guilford and Flossie Guilford in Barbour County, Alabama. Jerry had fifteen siblings, Hayward Tyler, Joseph Carter, Willie Carter, Henry Carter, Preston Carter, James “Boot” Guilford, Dave Guilford, Jr., Willie C. Guilford, C. W. “Doc” Guilford, Katie House, Daisy Carson, Georgia “Honey” Guilford, Frank William Guilford, Beverly Jefferson, and Rachel Russaw. 

Jerry graduated from Henry County Training School in Abbeville, Alabama in May of 1961. On    August 16, 1962, Jerry married his childhood sweetheart Patsy and the young newlyweds moved from Alabama to Brooklyn, New York just a few weeks later. Jerry was always a hard worker. When it came to work, Jerry had a simple motto: “work hard so that your family does not have to ask       anyone for anything.” Jerry worked hard to provide for his family. He developed his work ethic at an early age, working on his father’s farm and then at Dixie Nail Mill in Alabama and subsequently the Fort Gaines Dam prior to moving to New York. Jerry, a man of ambition and high fashion, arrived in New York in 1962 to work for suit manufacturer Ripley and Howard Clothing where he worked as a presser. In 1982, Jerry left his job at Ripley and Howard Clothing and joined the New York City Transit Authority. He quickly worked his way up the ladder at New York City Transit Authority where, after receiving training and certification from Pace University, he became an Operational    Engineer. Jerry enjoyed a very successful career at New York City Transit Authority for over 27 years, retiring in 2009. Upon his retirement, Jerry received a letter of appreciation from the President of the New York City Transit Authority thanking him for his years of service to New York City.

Jerry was a “walking encyclopedia.” There was nothing that he could not learn and nothing that he could not do. Never one to hoard information for his own benefit, Jerry would eagerly share his knowledge with others. He was known as a teacher and mentor by co-workers, friends, and family alike. Jerry can rest well knowing that his work ethic and love of learning live on through his family. Jerry loved his daughter and son deeply and felt blessed to have watched them grow into adulthood and carry on his legacy. He was extremely proud to have witnessed both of his granddaughters graduate college from the University of Georgia; his granddaughter Jasmine Nicole graduating summa cum laude and his granddaughter Jada Renee graduating cum laude with a degree in Pharmacy and now pursuing her Master's degree.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 59 years Patsy Guilford, his children Cheryl Guilford-Jackson of Hempstead, NY, and Jerry Guilford, Jr. of Atlanta, GA, his grandchildren Jasmine Nicole Guilford and Jada Renee Guilford, his son-in-law Marvin Jackson and daughter-in-law Diana Guilford, his  sister Beverly Jefferson, his brother-in-law Bernard Jefferson and sister-in-law, Frances Tyler. Jerry is also survived by his nieces Judy Guilford Holland and Gassenia Guilford and nephews Charles (Hazel) Guilford, William Frank Guilford, Sr., Robert Jerome Guilford, Sr. and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that he held dear to his heart.

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