Alfred Holliday

Alfred Holliday Jr. was the eleventh child born to Ida and Almee Holliday. He was born Monday, March 14 in Sumter South Carolina where he lived until he was 4 years old. He was born to a family of 7 sisters and 4 brothers. In 1936 his family moved from South Carolina to New York City.  At birth Alfred’s name was Almee Jr, but was changed to Alfred when he started school. 

Alfred started first grade at Elementary School PS 90 and PS 5 in Harlem. He attended Frederic Douglas Junior High 139, also in Harlem. Where he graduated in 1950.  

Alfred had a series of tragedies early in his life. His mother Ida Holliday died on March 23 1940. His father Almee Holliday died on May 28th 1945.  At this time, the 4 younger children were taken care of by various family members. Alfred went to live with his mother’s sister Viola Taylor.

Alfred developed his artistic interest very early.  In 1944 at the age of 12 he started taking piano lessons at the New York School of Music in Harlem.  He attended the music school for 2 years, but had to stop because his father could no longer afford the 12 dollar a week rate for his lessons.  His older sister Myrtle came to the rescue and asked a member of her church, who gave private lessons, to take over his music study, and she paid for the lessons.  In high school he joined the school choir.  His brothers and sisters encouraged his interest in photography.  He watched is Brother Raymond produce his photo prints using his developing chemicals.  His sister Ruby helped him buy supplies. He purchased his first camera when he was 18 years old and began producing movies of the “Holliday Family at Home”. At the same time, while being a shutter bug, he was continuing his artistic interest. He often designed and painted posters for his sister Myrtles programs at our family church, Bethel AME in Harlem New York.

In 1951, he decided he wanted to be an actor, and joined the Negro Actors Guild, held at the Penthouse Dance and Drama Theater, also in Harlem.  He was interested in all facets of the theater, scenery, set design, stage lighting, stage technique and stage management.  He also wrote plays for various church groups and often cast family members in his productions.

In 1952 he went to register for the draft and was immediately sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey for boot camp. The Korean War had just started and he was sent directly to Korea.

After returning to civilian life in 1954, he enrolled in City College in New York, majoring in commercial art. On December 15, 1955 he and his sister Beverly and her husband James were baptized at Ephesus Seven Day Adventist Church in Harlem, New York. He was very active in the church working as a youth leader, writing and directing plays for Ephesus and other churches.  He was also actively giving home bible studies and was the President of the Manhattan Drama Guild, a church youth organization.

In August of 1961, he left NY to attend Oakwood College, in Huntsville Alabama where he majored in theology and minored in history.  He also taught Art Classes to elementary school students.  In 1966, he helped his friends, Carl and Tecora drive to Andrews University where Carl had been accepted at a Seventh Day Adventist Seminary.  At that time Alfred was offered a position in the Benton Harbor School District.  In Benton Harbor he taught 5th and 6th grade for 6 years before taking a leave of absence to work on his MA at Michigan State, which he received in 1972. 

In 1979 he worked with the Staff Development Department of the Benton Harbor area school district, a position he held until 1989 when he became the Acting Principle of the Morton Hill School. He continued working with the Benton Harbor school system.  He retired several times during his teaching career, but was always drawn back to those things he loved like the hands on development of people that he encountered along his life journey.

When he moved to Michigan, he found his church home at Highland Avenue Seven Day Adventist Church where he infused himself with the church activities and the community outreach that he always enjoyed.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alfred Holliday, please visit our floral store.