Carl Hollingsworth, affectionately know as "Lil Dawg" was born on February 15, 1979, in Cleveland, MS to the late Marilyn "Sue" Hollingsworth- Johnson and the late Otis "Chubby" Jones. He confessed his belief in Christ at an early age at United Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. Sammie Rash. Carl received his early education in the Cleveland School District, later becoming a proud graduate of the Mighty Eastside High School Class of 1997.

The meaning of his name embodied his very essence- " generally happy, a CLOWN, a warrior, a free man". If you weren't laughing around Carl, then something was definitely wrong. Carl enjoyed sports, spending time with family and friends, and traveling home to Cleveland-so much that he never wanted to leave. He took special pride in seeing his loved ones succeed in life-be it family or fiends. Nothing could compare to the love he had for his kids and his grandson, his nieces and nephews, aunts/uncles, and hanging with his boys.

Carl loved hid family and friends dearly. It was nothing to hear him say "Man I love my family!" over and over again. He was always the life of the party. Throughout his life, Carl met many people and established lasting friendships..... friendships that changed him for the better and allowed others to see who he really was, a "REAL ONE". Carl may have been short in stature but he had a big heart. He never met a stranger, and made sure you had a good time around him. His siblings held a special place in his heart, but shared a rare and special bond with his twin sister, Carla.

To know Carl, was to LOVE him. Carl and Iris were united in holy matrimony on December 31, 2005, and to this union two sons were born, CJ and Keremy. Through sickness and in health, their love remained. Carl fought a good fight throughout his health challenges and eventually won the battle on August 30, 2020 in Cleveland, MS, as he accepted the Master;s call and transitioned peacefully.

Carl was preceded in death by his mother, Sue; father, Chubby; and maternal grandparents, Theodore and Rosie Hollingsworth.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Iris Hollingsworth of LaVegne, TN; sons Carl Hollingsworth, Jr., Keremy Hollingsworth, and Javarrian Boddie of LaVergne. TN; daughters; Symone' Coleman (Milwaukee,WI), Kennedy Griggley ( Atlanta, GA), and JAmiya Boddie (LaVegne, TN); brothers: Ronnie Hollingsworth(Cleveland, MS), Otis Hollingsworth (Gulfport,MS), Ced Lacey (Calhoun, GA), and Timothy Lynch (Cleveland,MS); sisters: Carla (Willie) Cotton (Murfreeboro,TN), Shequita Jones (Atlanta,GA), Toweka (Alex) Williams (Marrietta,GA), Lawanika Moore (Cleveland,MS), and Kimberley Jones (Cleveland,MS); a grandson: Sean Coleman ( Milwaukee,WI); Paternal Grandmother; Annie Mae Jones (Cleveland,MS); loving aunts; Evonne (Talmadge) Davis, Mary Earl Hollingsworth, Deloris Foster, Betty Hollingsworth, Alice (Daryl)  Honorable, Gladys (George) Bell, LeraDell Hollingsworth, Janice (Joe) Johnson, Janet Hollingsworth, Vera Petro, and Helen Motley; a special aunt, Ann Mayhall- Richardson; caring uncles: James Hollingsworth, Bobby Hollingsworth, Charles Hollingsworth, Clarence Jones, David webb, and Curtis Webb, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.