Mary Jo Bolds' Obituary
Mary Jo Bolds, 87, of Decatur il passed away on September 15, 2024, at The Loft of Decatur. She was born to Toson and Elnora Bond on March 9, 1937, in Bells TN.
Mary Jo Bond and Johnnie F. Bolds were married in Cornith, MS, August 1953, and to this union three children were born.
Mother Bolds who was a faithful woman of God who had a spirit of giving, serving, caring and intuition.
After relocating from Bells, Tennessee to Decatur, Illinois in the late 1950's, she became a member of First Church of God in Christ and served in different auxiliaries. Years later, she joined Community Temple COGIC under the leadership of Bishop Willie F. Newbon. There she organized the Helping Hands ministry and served as a member of the Mother's Board. Mother Bolds was known for her cooking and hospitality. Mary enjoyed cooking and creating recipes for her family and friends to sample. Being well known for her specialties, chocolate pie, peach cobbler and of course, sunshine salad to name a few.
She was employed at Lincoln Manor Nursing Home as a CNA for 35 years. She was a devoted and dedicated employee.. In 1993 she became a founding board member of the African-America Cultural and Genealogical Society of Illinois, Inc. and served as a board member-at-large. She visited the sick in various facilities. In her spare time, she enjoyed shopping and gardening.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Rosalind (Joe Sr.) Pirtle of Decatur; grandchild, Marcus Stokes of Cordova, TN; bonus grandchildren, Joe Pirtle Jr. of Atlanta, GA And Michana McCarroll of Jackson, TN; sisters, Evelyn Hood of Decatur and Doris Bond-Kyles of Evergreen Park; special sister-in-law, Martha Bond of Decatur; great-grandchild Tristan Stokes of Memphis, TN; bonus great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Khari, both of Jackson, TN; special niece and nephew, Alma Allen of Swansea and Willie I. Bond of Marietta, GA, other nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends including Lady Pat Newbon and First Lady Shirley Young; and Godchildren, Ilry Fox and Cleveland Bradfield.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie F. Bolds; her parents; children, Johnnie Bolds Jr and Caroline Bolds; brothers, Willie, Charles, Henry and John Bond.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Transitions Hospice and Ya-Ya and Tanisha aka, “Bessie” and “Martha” for the care that they provided to Mary throughout her stay at The Loft.
A visitation will be held for Mary on September 30, 2024, from 10:30am-11:30pm at The Community Temple Church of God and Christ. A funeral service will be held at 11:30am after visitation. A burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery in the Star of Hope Mausoleum directly after the funeral.
In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made in Mary's name to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org 614 W. Glen Ave. Peoria, IL. 61614 in memory of Mary Jo Bolds.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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