In Tribute
Mary Thomas Bolton
07/17/1926-09/14/2024
Mary was a 6th generation Tucker, Georgia native, the daughter of Paul L. Thomas and Mary Elene Thomas. She began work at Cofer’s Dry Goods store at the age of twelve taking weekly grocery orders. She graduated from Tucker High School in 1943. In 1946, Mary married Robert E. Bolton and they had 58 years together. Mary and Robert were the parents of two children. They were adored by their three grandchildren who have wonderful memories of the time spent with them. They were also great grandparents of four.
Mary and Robert were long-time members of the Georgia Iris Society and the American Iris Society. Years ago, when the GIS treasury was quite low, they decided to purchase 100 rhizomes from a grower and sell them to the GIS members. The sale was held in the Bolton backyard during a Society picnic. Needless to say, it was a huge success and marked the beginning of the annual GIS sales held jointly with the iris show. They hosted many iris potting/planting parties on their property through the ensuing years, often accompanied by ice cream and chocolate chip cookies (both homemade). Mary was tireless in her efforts to tend the potted iris from fall to the next spring when they would be sold. She monitored the needs for grooming, feeding, watering, and once even moved 700 pots when cold weather threatened. Mary was a knowledgeable and gifted teacher. She encouraged novice members to participate and learn as they worked to plant rhizomes. She was excited to teach and share her love for irises. We were excited to learn. We lovingly named Mary our ‘Queen Bee” and became her “worker bees”.
Mary and her brother, Paul, inherited the farmland that had been in their family for several generations. Mary, Robert, Paul, and Paul’s wife, Cookie, planted many rows and beds of irises on their portion of the property. They competed good-naturedly for blue ribbons at the iris shows.
In the last few years, her health prevented her from participating, but she eagerly looked forward to hearing about GIS activities and often said, “I wish I could help”. That was always her attitude when work needed to be done. This sweet-spirited, generous gardener will truly be missed.
by Pat Bennett and Pam Olive, GIS members
