Curtis Holland

Curtis Holland, 86, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Services will be held Monday, November 24, at 11:00 a.m., at First BaptistChurch in Waco, with Corky Holland officiating, and the burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 23 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.

Curtis was born on June 10, 1939, in Gantt, Alabama, to Charles Edward and Annie Laurie (Floyd) Holland. As the eighth of eleven children, Curtis worked with his family who were share-croppers. Growing up, his family raised their own food and found joy in life making the most of what they had. He learned from his mom and dad to find joy in working together, playing together, the value of integrity, having a good name, being a good neighbor, giving an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, and trusting the Lord to help them live out these values each day. He learned as a child, and later lived as an adult, to “not judge a book by its cover,” but to love everyone in a way that was unique and special to every one he met.

He graduated from Rawls School in 1957, and soon surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ, preaching his first sermon at age 17. Curtis sold his car to purchase a single bus ticket from Alabama to Waco, Texas, in 1961, to attend Baylor University, arriving in Waco with only a few dollars. He graduated from Baylor University in 1968, with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1972.

Curtis fell in love with Bettye Heath of Valley Mills, Texas while at Baylor University, and the two were wed on June 28, 1964, at First Baptist Church Valley Mills. Curtis' life was spent in service to the gospel ministry of Jesus Christ. He first began preaching in churches in South Alabama then served as pastor of Watt Baptist Church while at Baylor, hitch-hiking each weekend to arrive at the church. He was given a weekend home with the McKinney family. He and Bettye served at Reagan Baptist Church in Reagan, Texas, Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Clifton, Texas, and Connally Heights Baptist Church in Lacy Lakeview, Texas. While serving as pastor at Connally Heights, Curtis was invited to complete Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Hillcrest Hospital in Waco, Texas. From this CPE class, Curtis was the only student asked to serve as a full-time chaplain at Hillcrest Hospital. Within the year, he was chosen as the Director of Pastoral Care for Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco, Texas. Curtis served in this capacity at Hillcrest for over 27 years, and was often called “Waco’s Pastor.” During these years he also served as interim pastor in several churches in the greater Waco area. He officiated numerous funeral services. Following his retirement from Hillcrest in 2001, Curtis and Bettye served together in the senior adult ministry at Western Heights, and later as pastor at West Brethren Church in West, Texas from 2003 to 2019.

Curtis enjoyed community service and was an active member of the Waco’s Founders Lions Club, 33rd- degree Scottish Rite Mason, and served on the board of the United Way. Curtis was an avid supporter of Baylor University and Baylor University sports. Curtis’ happiest times of life were when he surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ, meeting and falling in love with his wife, Bettye, the arrival of and sharing in the lives of his children and grandchildren, and serving as a chaplain of Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center.

He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Annie Laurie Holland; seven of his brothers James Holland, Leroy Holland, Carlton Holland, Charlie Holland, Jack Holland, Bobby Holland, Vertis Holland; and his one sister, Thelia Ann Holland Bryant. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Bettye (Heath) Holland; son Corky Holland and wife Lisa of Amarillo, Texas; daughter Annissa Jackson and husband Steve of Carthage, Texas; grandchildren Heath Holland and wife Elizabeth, Luke Holland and wife Madison, Drew Jackson and wife Molly, Grant Holland, and William Jackson; brothers Reese Holland, and Randall Holland and wife Voncile, of Gantt, Alabama.

Pallbearers are his grandchildren: Heath Holland, Elizabeth Holland, Luke Holland, Madison Holland, Drew Jackson, Molly Jackson, Grant Holland, and William Jackson. Honorary Pallbearers are Terry Crawford, Charlie Ramsey, Larry Don McKinney, and Dave Arden.

Memorials may be made to the Pastoral Care Program at Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest, 100 Hillcrest Medical Boulevard, Waco, Texas 76712. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Bluebonnet Hospice and The Blake of Waco.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Curtis in his “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.