Meet Althea Holmes of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Althea Holmes.

Hi Althea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always believed that some of life’s greatest challenges can become our greatest teachers. Living with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), a rare condition that affects my joints and muscles, has shaped much of my journey. It has taught me resilience, creativity, problem-solving, and the importance of finding my own path when there wasn’t always a clear one to follow.

Growing up, many everyday tasks required me to find different ways of doing things. While those challenges were not always easy, they taught me problem-solving, determination, and creativity from an early age.

For much of my childhood and early adulthood, I depended heavily on my family for assistance. They were my support system and helped me navigate many aspects of daily life. It wasn’t until I left home for college that I truly began learning how to become independent and discover what I was capable of accomplishing on my own.

One of the most transformative experiences of my life came when I studied abroad in London. I traveled there alone, without friends or family, knowing that it would push me far outside of my comfort zone. London is rich in history, and many locations were not fully accessible. I often encountered stairs, uneven pathways, and obstacles that required me to adapt or ask strangers for help. While it was intimidating at times, it became one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. It taught me confidence, self-advocacy, and the importance of being willing to ask for help when needed. Living independently in another country showed me that I was capable of much more than I had ever imagined.

Over the years, I worked in various fields, earned my degree, and continued finding creative ways to overcome challenges. However, some of the most significant turning points in my life came through loss. In 2020, I lost my husband, Terrance, after his long journey with heart disease and transplantation. Then, in 2022, I lost my mother to cancer. Those experiences changed me deeply and forced me to navigate grief in ways I never expected.

After my mother’s passing, I created a keepsake purse using her obituary program. What began as a personal way to preserve her memory sparked something much larger. Friends and family began asking about the keepsakes, and eventually that led to the creation of Ewkniklee Mee, a business dedicated to helping families honor their loved ones through memorial designs and keepsakes that tell a story.

Today, I create obituary programs, memorial keepsakes, tribute pieces, and other meaningful designs that help families celebrate life and preserve cherished memories. I am also the author of “Ewkniklee Mee, Vol. 1,” where I share my personal journey of disability, grief, faith, resilience, and self-discovery.

Looking back, I can see how every challenge prepared me for the next chapter. Whether learning independence, navigating life with a disability, overcoming loss, or building a business from a place of healing, each experience has strengthened my belief that our stories have power. My mission is to encourage others to embrace their uniqueness, find strength in difficult seasons, and create something meaningful from the experiences that shape them.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning how to become independent. Growing up, I relied heavily on my family, especially my sister, to help me with many of my daily activities. When I first went away to college, my sister was there to help bridge that transition.

Eventually, I made the decision to move away from her and live on campus with my best friend. The plan was for us to attend school together, and she would help me with some of the daily tasks I still depended on others to do. However, due to financial reasons, she was unable to attend school.

What made the situation even more difficult was that my family did not know she wasn’t coming. They all believed my best friend would be there with me. When my sister dropped me off and left, I suddenly realized I was completely on my own.

That night, I cried myself to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up knowing I had a choice to make. I could let fear take over, or I could figure it out one step at a time. While I was living with my sister, I had purchased adaptive tools, including a dressing stick, a sock aid, and a button hook to help me dress independently. The interesting thing is that I had never actually used them. I always had my sister there to help.

That morning, for the first time, those tools became more than something I owned. They became my lifeline.

I stood in front of my closet looking for the easiest outfit I could manage on my own. Then I began the process of getting dressed. It took time, patience, and determination, but for the first time in my life, I dressed myself completely on my own and made it to class on time.

It may seem like a small accomplishment to some people, but for me it was life changing. That morning was my first real taste of independence. It was the moment I realized I was capable of more than I had ever given myself credit for.

That lesson stayed with me throughout the rest of my life. Years later, when I studied abroad in London by myself, I drew from that same determination. I knew challenges would come, but I also knew I could adapt, problem-solve, ask for help when needed, and keep moving forward.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I transform memories into meaningful keepsakes that help families celebrate, remember, and honor the people they love.

Many people see an obituary as simply a program handed out at a funeral. I see it as part of a family’s story. For some families, it may become one of the few tangible pieces they have left to reflect on years later. That is why I believe it should be treated with care, intention, and respect.

What drives me most is making families feel seen. Whether someone was a business owner, a teacher, a stay-at-home parent, a child, or simply someone who was deeply loved, their life mattered. I believe every life has value, and every story deserves to be remembered beautifully. There is no price that can truly be placed on a person’s life.

One thing that sets me apart is that my work comes from personal experience. Before I ever created memorial keepsakes, I was already creating meaningful gifts for others. During my husband’s long hospital journey, I made cards, T-shirts, and personalized items for fellow patients, nurses, doctors, and caregivers. Creating has always been one of the ways I express love, encouragement, and gratitude.

The memorial side of my business began after my mother’s passing. Wanting a way to keep her memory close, I created a purse using her obituary program. What started as a deeply personal project quickly became something more. People began asking questions about it, sharing their own stories, and seeing possibilities for preserving memories in a different way.

That purse became the first memorial keepsake I ever created and ultimately inspired the direction of my business. It showed me that memorial items could be more than objects. They could become conversation pieces, sources of comfort, and reminders of the people who helped shape our lives.

What I am most proud of is knowing that the work I create often becomes part of a family’s healing journey. Long after the service is over and the flowers are gone, a keepsake remains. Knowing that I can help families preserve memories and celebrate a life well lived is one of the greatest honors of the work I do.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
One piece of advice I often hear is, “Don’t give up.” While I absolutely believe that is true, I think we need to be more honest about what comes with it.

Not giving up sounds inspiring, but what people don’t always talk about are the stressful days, the disappointments, the self-doubt, and the moments when you wonder if anything you’re doing is actually making a difference. Entrepreneurship can be lonely, and sometimes it feels like everyone else is moving forward while you’re standing still.

I’ve been building my business for more than six years, and there have been many times when I felt like I wasn’t moving the needle. But then an order comes in, a family shares how much a keepsake meant to them, or someone tells me my story encouraged them, and I’m reminded why I started.

My advice is to focus on the impact you’re making, even when the progress feels slow. Success doesn’t always happen as quickly as we would like, and sometimes the seeds you’re planting today won’t show results until much later.

I would also encourage people to find a strong support system. Find people who genuinely want to see you succeed, not just because it benefits them, but because they believe in you. Having people in your corner who can offer encouragement, resources, honest feedback, and perspective can make a tremendous difference during difficult seasons.

If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: you do not have to have everything figured out to keep moving forward. There will be times when you don’t know the next step, the right marketing strategy, or the perfect solution. Keep learning, keep adjusting, and keep showing up.

I still don’t have all the answers, especially when it comes to growing and marketing a business. But I do know that every person I help reminds me that the work matters. My goal has never been to simply sell a product. My goal is to create something meaningful that people didn’t even realize they needed until they experienced it.

Sometimes progress isn’t measured by how far you’ve come. Sometimes it’s measured by the fact that you kept going when it would have been easier to quit.

Pricing:

• Memorial design services available for a variety of budgets
• Obituary program design services starting at $125
• Personalized keepsakes and tribute items available upon request

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ewkniklee.com
• Instagram: @ewknikleemee
• Facebook: @ewknikleemee
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/altheacholmes
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ewknikleemee