Rev. Dr. Joe L. Holley

The Reverend Dr. Joe L. Holley Sr.
“To everything there is a Season” ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1
“A Time To Be Born” - Reverend Dr. Joe L. Holley Sr. book of life was opened on September 1st 1938, being born to the late Willis James Holley.Sr. And Dorothy Marie Harrell Holley in Corapeake, North Carolina.
“A Time To Die” - God in His divine wisdom called Reverend Dr. Holley home to be with Him on Saturday, August 31st around 9:30 p.m. at PowerBack Rehabilitation Center in Moorestown, N.J. Reverend Dr. Holley was the 2nd child of ten siblings. Three of his brothers preceded him in death Herbert R. Johnny E. and James M. Holley.
“A Time For Every Purpose Under Heaven” - Reverend Dr. Holley received his education in the Gates County Public School system.
Later in life he met and married Marie Blake from the union six children were born, two of his children preceded him in death Ann and James Holley. Reverend Dr. Joe L. Holley decided to relocate and move his family to Philadelphia. He joined Metropolitan Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend M.L. Gayton and served as the chairman of the Deacons until he was ordained a Minister. In 1981 Pastor Holley married Rosa Lee Baker, she preceded him in death. Reverend Holley worked at Stein Seal Company for more than 60 years. Reverend Holley was a jack of all trades, whatever you needed fix you could call him and if he couldn’t do it, he knew someone who could.
In 1998 Reverend Holley was ordained a Minister by his pastor, Reverend Gregory Thomas. He served as interim Pastor at his church, Metropolitan Baptist Church for a short time. In 1999 He was then called to Second Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church, where he served faithfully for 20 years. When Pastor Holley came to Second Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church, there was a lot of work to be done. Not only did he work faithful for the Lord preaching, teaching, and visiting the sick but Pastor Holley rolled up his sleeves and worked hard on the building. Pastor Holley often said to his congregation “Second Nazareth is the Apple of my eye” Pastor Holley was truly a God sent to Second Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church.
Pastor Holley had a sense of humor up until the day the Lord called him home, he told some of his members that visited him , “If I don’t see you no more on this side I’ll see you when you get to heaven now if you get to heaven and don’t see me, you’re in the wrong place”.
“A time to Mourn / Rejoice” - Pastor leaves to cherish his memories: 2 sons, Joe Jr. & Percy Holley 3 daughters Hazel Peele, Barbara Holley and Geraldine Bridges all resides in Philadelphia, Pa.; 16 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren; 1 brother, 5 sisters, 3 brother-in-laws, and 1 sister-in-law, Willis Holley Jr, (Willean) of North Augusta, S.C., Evangelist Mary B. Hodges of Windsor, VA, Rosa Sessom of Ahoskie, N.C., Annie H. Norfleet (Robert) of Chesapeake, VA, Gracy H. Duck (Melvin) of Upper Marlboro, MD, Phyllis P. Bond (Anthony) nephews, nieces and cousins, his church family and friends.

Funeral Services for Dr. Holley will take place on Monday at 11AM in Second Nazareth Baptist Church 1800 Tasker Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145.  Viewing begins at 9AM.  Interment will follow in Mt. Peace Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. Dr. Joe L. Holley, please visit our floral store.