Long-time Alabama congressman, Jimmy Holley dies

ELBA, Ala. (WDHN) —Jimmy Holley, a longtime Alabama State Legislature of 44 years and Coffee County native died Monday. He was 80.

According to Hayes Funeral Home, Holley died at the Elba Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

The Coffee County native was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1974, serving that seat for 20 years.

In 1988, Holley was elected to serve District 31 in the Alabama Senate, serving 6 terms before retiring in 2023.

While serving in Montgomery, Holley was a pivotal voice in securing money that would help rebuild the schools in Elba after flooding, and when a deadly tornado hit Enterprise.

In the past, some of his colleagues gave high praise to Holley.

"Senator Holley will go down as one of the greatest statesmen, politicians that this state has ever seen and I think that's 100% true," said Rhett Marques when asked about Holley in 2023.

Alabama political analyst, Steve Flowers sang the same tune telling WDHN, "He's probably in my years of covering Alabama politics. The most capable legislator I've ever seen."

Hayes Funeral Home will be facilitating Holley's funeral service.