I was born in 1964 in Limestone County as the youngest of ten siblings. My father worked as a farmer for the land owner and my mother was a homemaker for ten children. My family suffered from extreme poverty but my parents used those times to teach us the value of hard work. My father died when I was only five years old and my mother was forced to carry the entire burden of the family. Growing up in difficult times, I learned at an early age to work hard in the fields of various owners, picking and chopping cotton, picking strawberries, baling hay, and performing various other challenging occupations to help my mother feed the family and pay the bills. As I grew up, I watched the tremendous struggles of my mother and family and realized the importance of a good education.
As a student-athlete, I graduated in 1983 from East Limestone High School in Athens, AL. I was awarded a full basketball scholarship to Snead State Jr. College in Boaz AL. where I met my future wife Cassandra. After leaving Snead, I transferred to UAHuntsville on a full basketball scholarship, graduating with a B.S./B.A. specializing in the field of Management Information Systems. Soon thereafter I joined Huntsville Hospital as a Computer (Unix) Administrator where I continue my employment today. I began studying at Heritage Bible College in 2007 and received a Masters of Biblical Counseling degree in 2009.
In the year 2000, I accepted the call into ministry and delivered my first sermon a few months later. Unfortunately, in 2001, our family suffered the sudden and tragic death of our thirteen-year-old son Torrell. He died from a sudden heart attack while playing basketball at Liberty Middle School. Four years later, my wife Cassandra and I co-founded CL Holley Ministries Inc., a ministry that provides comfort, encouragement, and inspiration for those experiencing various trials in life. It was at this time that I began to write as I used the pen to cope with grief. I have since written four books.
I serve at Union Chapel MB church as an Associate Minister, Bible Class Teacher, and Bible College Instructor. I have been married to the same beautiful woman for over 24 year. We have a teenage daughter who is an aspiring actress/model attending UAHuntsville. I truly have a heart to serve others, care tremendously for all people, and have a passion for politics. I have decided to enter the political arena and offer myself as Servant-Congressman for the US 5th Congressional District of Alabama.
