Dr. Agnes Eleanor Holmes McGregor was the youngest daughter of Clifton Holmes and Sarah Margaret Holmes. She was born on August 16, 1945, in Addor, North Carolina. She resided in Taylortown with her family before moving to Jackson Hamlet, NC when she was 9 years old. Agnes accepted Christ at an early age, becoming an active member of Love Grove Free Will Baptist Church, where she enjoyed attending Sunday School and began teaching the junior Sunday School as a teenager.

Agnes attended Berkeley Elementary School beginning in the 3rd grade. She always had a smile on her face and was friendly to most people she met. Agnes took her studies seriously, earning the title of co-valedictorian of her graduating class of Berkeley High School in 1963. She earned admission to St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina where she majored in elementary education. She maintained a high GPA throughout her college years, making the honor role during each of her four years. Agnes graduated from college in 1967 with honors.

Agnes began her lifelong love of education and service in the United States Peace Corp, where she was stationed in Jamaica. She trained students learning to become elementary school teachers for two years before returning to San Diego to serve as an elementary school teacher herself.

In her early 20s, Agnes left San Diego and moved back to the East Coast, where she taught elementary school in the District of Columbia and Baltimore for a total of 3 years. During this time, she lived with her sister Mary and regularly visited her Uncle James.

Agnes married her childhood sweetheart, Phil McGregor in Greenville, South Carolina in 1973. Both passionate educators, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia and began teaching in the Dekalb County School System, which was among the largest school systems in the state at the time.

Agnes and Phil welcomed their first son, Brian Sebastian McGregor on July 27th, 1976 soon followed by Sean Philip McGregor, born August 1st, 1980.

Agnes and her family attended several local churches in DeKalb and Fulton County before eventually becoming members at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia in the 1980s. Agnes continued her education, enrolling in Georgia State University in 1990, earning a Master’s Degree and Education Specialist Degree in Education. She became Assistant Principal of Peachcrest Elementary School after earning her advanced degrees. She earned her Doctorate Degree from Clark Atlanta University, specializing in early childhood education in the mid-90s, after which she became principal of Midway Elementary School.

Dr. McGregor continued her rise in the DeKalb County School System, moving to the district office, which eventually was named after her husband who served on the DeKalb County School Board, where she was a coordinator for the county’s Pre-Kindergarten program. After serving for 41 years as an educator, she retired from the DeKalb School System in 2004.

Agnes served Beulah Missionary Baptist Church faithfully, as the coordinator for the Christian Education ministry, which focused on Christian discipleship and designing their bible study curriculum. She co-founded the L.E.A.P. Program, which stood for Learning & Educational Advancement Program and also served a term as chair of the Deaconess Board.

Agnes entered into eternal rest on August 27, 2025. She was preceded in death by her mother Sarah Margaret Holmes, father Clifton Holmes, and her sister Mary.

She is survived by her loving husband Phil McGregor of McDonough, GA; sons Dr. Brian McGregor (Sharla) of Atlanta, GA and Sean McGregor of McDonough, GA; brother, Bruce Holmes (Lenolia) of Jackson Hamlet, NC, sister Hattie McLaughlin of Pinehurst, NC; two granddaughters Ayo McGregor and Ife McGregor of Atlanta, GA. Agnes leaves a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/dr-agnes-mcgregor/obituary/

Copy