Cyrus E. "Cy" Holly

Pastor Cyrus E. Holly of Oak Hill, WV entered heaven peacefully surrounded by loved ones following a battle with Leukemia at CAMC Memorial Hospital in Charleston, WV on August 30, 2010. Born November 21, 1951 at Oak Hill, WV he was the son of the late Lacy Estil Holly and Wanda G. Perry Holly. Cy was a 1969 graduate of Mount Hope High School where he was an all-state defensive lineman. After two decades of working as a carpenter, miner, heavy equipment hauler, and postal carrier Cy obtained his teaching degree from Concord College in 1989 and his Masters Degree in Special Education from Marshall University in 2001. A Fayette county educator for 23 years, Cy coached Collins Middle School Football for 20 years posting a record of 87 wins, 36 losses, and 5 ties. He also served as Collins Middle School track coach. Cy thoroughly enjoyed his years with the athletes he developed, the coaches he mentored, and his associations with colleagues. Because Cy cared about leading children to Christ he answered the call to become Collins Middle School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle coach in 2000. He was an active member of Harvey United Methodist Church serving as a member, chair of the administrative board, lay speaker, and Sunday School teacher. Because of his work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Cy was called to the pastorate. He began another master’s program to obtain his pastor license for the United Methodist Church. Cy named his most treasured accomplishment as serving as pastor for Harvey Chapel United Methodist Church. Those left to carry on his memory include his wife of 35 years Amy Constance “Connie” Criss Holly, their two daughters Michelle Leigh Holly of Ohio, Jessica Renee’ Holly Floyd and her husband Bret of Oak Hill; grandchildren, Jordyn Holly Floyd and Noah Bret Floyd, brother Lacy E. Holly Jr. and his wife Vicki of Delaware, sister Susan Holly Olson and husband Roger of Oak Hill, and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Cy was a man who would lay down his life for his friends, and did so many times. He could count on one hand the number of days he spent apart from his wife of 35 loving years. When he taught school he would carry a bucket of bubble gum to give to the kids. He couldn’t sleep on Christmas Eve nights in anticipation of his children opening their presents. He carried pictures of his “grandbabies” in his t-shirt pocket just in case he ran into anyone at McDonalds or Walmart. He filled a room with laughter, joking, caring, and love. In all senses, he embodied the scripture: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith,” II Timothy 4:7. Visitation will be held at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 from 6 to 9 p.m. Services Thursday, September 2, at 3:30 p.m. at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with Rev. Jessie Parker and Rev. Dr. Charles Miller officiating. Burial will follow at High Lawn Memorial Park. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Online condolences may be sent to www.tyreefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, West Virginia