A long-serving and well-regarded Republican lawmaker in the Alabama state legislature has passed away.

Former State Sen. Jimmy Holley (R), who declined to seek re-election in 2022, died on Monday at the age of 80, according to the Alabama Political Reporter.

Holley, who split more than four decades of service between both chambers of the Alabama legislature, was widely viewed as a legislator who was highly knowledgeable of parliamentary procedures and often mentored newly elected members.

Cause of death undisclosed

Per the Hayes Funeral Home in Holley's hometown of Elba, the former lawmaker is said to have "passed away peacefully" on Monday at the Elba Nursing and Retirement Center.

No cause of death was given, nor has a full obituary been posted, but the funeral home noted that a burial service would be held for Holley on Friday at the Ino Baptist Church in Kingston.

According to local CBS affiliate WAKA, Holley was born in 1944 and, outside of his elected service, was a small businessman and cattle rancher who also previously served as a longtime administrator for Troy University from 1984 until 2007.

As for his career as a lawmaker, Holley was first elected to the Alabama House in 1974 and served there until 1994, then served in the state Senate from 1998 until 2022, when he decided to retire.

A mentor to others

Local media outlet WTVY reported that some of Holley's former colleagues issued words of mourning in response to his death, including State Sen. Chris Elliot, who said, "Jimmy Holley was a lion. I’ll miss his advice and council."

"Senator Holley was a great friend and, to me, my mentor," State Sen. Donnie Chasteen said. "When I came into the Senate he kind of took me under his wing and helped me prepare to be a good senator. He was well respected by members in the Senate on both sides of the aisle. One thing about Senator Holley was he was always prepared."

Chasteen further recalled that even as Holley's health grew worse over the past few years, he continued to serve his constituents until he was no longer able to do so.

A man of "great integrity" and faith

Alabama's 1819 News reported that Holley was also fondly remembered by State Senate Pro-Tem Greg Reed, who said his former colleague would be "greatly missed" by all.

"I learned a great deal from Senator Holley. We served together for years, and he was an incredible mentor to me," Reed said on Tuesday.

"Senator Holley knew the Senate rules better than any member in the body, and during my time as Majority Leader and later Pro Tem, I would go to him often to ask his advice on procedure," he continued. "Regardless of the situation or what we were trying to accomplish, Senator Holley knew exactly what to do, and our body benefited greatly from his knowledge."

"He was a strong leader that took an interest in always helping me, but above all, he was a great friend to me and many others. He was a man of great integrity that loved the Lord, his family, and his district," Reed added. "He, alongside his wife Mary, served his district and our state incredibly well. His service to Alabama was a passion for him and a great benefit to our state. He will be greatly missed."