The Legacy Lives On
A Family of Ministers
Rev. Holliday came from a large family: 9 brothers and 4 sisters (Can you imagine 9 brothers and 4 sisters growing up in a small country house today? …didn’t think so!). His family called him “O-L”. This nickname stuck with him throughout his youth and later used as a term of endearment by members of his congregations.
Rev. C.A. Holliday (Carranza Adair Holliday) was OL’s favorite uncle and mentor. He encouraged him to the ministry after hearing the family stories of OL, as a young boy, going out in the woods and preaching to the trees, animals, and anything else that could not get away from his sermons.
Two of Rev. Holliday’s brothers, Rev. Martin L. Holiday and Rev. Fred C. Holliday, became ministers of the gospel too. Both are the stewards of well established churches in Houston, Texas: East Park Missionary Baptist Church and Lighthouse Missionary Baptist Church respectively.
Serving God in a leadership role is inbred in the Holliday bloodline. Between Rev. Holliday and his siblings, a second and third generation of ministers were born to carry the torch:
Niece: Debra Nellums Taylor – Anointed Bible Teacher; Grand Niece: Rev. Deborah Franklin; Female Cousins: Rev. Opral Sandles Carr and Rev. Billie Bennett.; Nephews: Rev. Frank Holiday, Rev. Andrew James Holiday, Rev. James Holiday, Rev. Reggie Holiday, and Rev. Andre Holliday; Grand Nephews: Rev. Derrick Smith, Rev. Greg Tyron, and Rev. Frank Holiday, Jr.; Male Cousins: Rev. Butch Haynes, Rev. Alfred (A.C.) Curtis Holliday, Rev. Norman Haynes, Rev. V.A. Haynes, Rev. Robert Maxey, and Rev. Fred A. Johnson; Nephew In-Law: Rev.
Steve Taylor, Jr.
Leaders, Trailblazers, Singers, Musicians, Artists, and Poets
Rev. Holliday’s children and grand children became trailblazers in their own right.
The most notible is Jennifer Holliday, singer, actress, and winner of an Emmy and Grammy for her role in the original Broadway hit: Dream Girls.
Emerson Holliday who received distinction as the first African-American State Elections Office for the State of Colorado, founder/CEO of the National Association of Minority Students and Educators in Higher Education (NAMSE), and founder/CEO of E2H2 Technologies, LLC – a technology services company.
There are plenty of musically talented folk in the Holliday family. Most large family gatherings turned into some of the greatest toe-stomping, tear-streaming, music experiences that you would every want to attend. Often, one or more of Holliday’s multi-talented off springs led a song or two. Here is a sample of the voice of the baby girl, Greteta Holliday, singing Do Your Will. Greteta is a successful entrepreneur and Executive Director at 5Linx Communications.
If you have not noticed yet, most of Rev. Holliday’s children and grandchildren have entrepreneurial and trailblazer spirits. Michica Holliday is founder and CEO of Lonewa Concepts, LLC – a unique brand licensing company and ArdyssBodyStyle.com and Michica’s 2 Step System. Michica also served as the first African-American front office manager of the celebrated historic Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. ( Julia Ward Howe wrote the lyrics to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” while staying at the hotel and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in his room at this hotel days before his “March on Washington”.)
More profiles to come…. stay tuned!
