Dr. Richard E. Holmes, Mississippi State University’s first African American student, died Oct. 16, 2026, in Starkville. He was 82.
WJTV reported the death on Oct. 16, 2026 and identified Holmes as MSU’s first African American student.
WJTV’s account did not include additional details about cause of death, funeral arrangements or formal statements; those details were not provided in the report.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
