Mary June Bolton

Mary June Bolton of Ironton, Missouri passed away May 3, 2024, at The Baptist Home at the age of 79 years. She was born July 24, 1944, in Poteet, Texas, the daughter of the late George Norman and Velma Irene (Hughes) Williamson. On February 26, 1965, she was united in marriage to Donald Jack Bolton who preceded her in death in November 2015. To this union a son, Robert Wayne Bolton, was born. He survives and resides with his wife, Lisa, in Lufkin, Texas. Mary is also survived by two grandsons: Brandon Bolton and wife Shannon (Doney) Bolton of Boise, Idaho and Jordan Bolton of Peoria, Illinois. Three great grandchildren: Parker, Sawyer and Saylor Bolton also survive. Mary had seven siblings: Ray Williamson of San Antonio, Texas, Jimmy Williamson, Bill Williamson, Robbie Williamson, and Glenda Garcia all of Poteet, Texas and Gordon Williamson and Betty Jo Lassiter who both preceded her in death. Mary grew up on a 45-acre farm near Poteet, Texas with no electricity and no running water. Her daddy provided for her mother and seven siblings while never earning more than $25 per week. It was a one mile walk from the farmhouse to the county road where they caught the school bus during the week, and another 3 miles into Poteet. They didn’t own a car, so on Sundays, dressed for church, they made this four-mile walk in the South Texas heat every week. Mary gave her heart to Jesus at 9 years old and hasn’t looked back since. She considered her family to be her ministry, and passed on her faith to her son, Robert, and set a faithful example for him as well as her grandsons and great-grandchildren. In 1982, Mary and her family became 3 of the 7 founding members of the Chickasaw Trail Baptist Church, a newly planted church between Davis and Sulphur, Oklahoma, near Arbuckle Reservoir. Within a few short years, there were over 300 members, and the church still thrives today. Mary had a beautiful voice and sang alto in the church choir. She also played the piano, but because of her natural shyness, rarely in front of people. She also taught an evening Bible study class every Sunday. Mary’s faith was on display at home as well as at church. Her Bible was tattered and underlined from cover to cover. There were many notes in the margin, often recording answered prayers. During the 1980’s and 1990’s, she and Jack lived and worked at Falls Creek Baptist Assembly, the world’s largest Christian Summer Camp, near Davis, Oklahoma. During the summers, Falls Creek came to life with 10,000 or more teenagers and church youth directors. Mary managed the camp grocery store, filling the orders of hundreds of church groups each week. People all over Oklahoma and Texas knew and loved her as the Falls Creek Grocery Store lady! She kept the entire camp fed. During the off season, Mary enjoyed the quiet serenity of the vacant grounds, where she loved to take walks with her binoculars and camera, looking for birds. She knew the names of every bird that lived in or migrated through Southern Oklahoma, and had each one checked off in her bird identification book. Mary also enjoyed making handmade greeting cards. She kept a long list of annual recipients who received beautiful handmade cards for their birthdays and Christmas. Each card was lovingly thought out and included an encouragement from scripture. Mary’s spiritual gift was encouragement, and she was quick to put her arm around a hurting friend and give them a smile and a few kind words. Mary loved everyone around her and was loved in return. Hers was a life well-lived. Mary may be away from our presence for now, but she would not want us to be sad. We will all see her smile again, soon, and very soon! Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. from the Baptist Home Chapel with Pastor Jim Wills officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Baptist Home Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Baptist Home.