Roberta Harber Bolton

Roberta Harber Bolton was born May 5, 1920, in Banks County, Georgia to Drucilla McCoy Harber and James Jasper Harber. She departed this life on February 25, 2015, in Marietta, Georgia. She lived her entire life in Commerce, Georgia, leaving her home only recently following two surgeries for a broken hip. Being away from Commerce caused her more pain than the broken hip ever did.

Educated in the City of Commerce Public Schools, she graduated in the Class of 1937. Later she attended business school in Atlanta and was employed by the Georgia Department of Labor. On October 19, 1939, she married William Douglas Bolton also of Commerce. The couple settled in Commerce where they lived until Mr. Bolton began his service in the U.S. Air Force in early 1943. During his absence, she was employed in the offices of Blue Bell, Inc. Three children were born following the war. For each of them she was a loving mother, tireless advocate and friend. Her devotion to her family never wavered.
In 1965 Mrs. Bolton began a career at the Commerce Middle School where she was employed until 1999 when she retired at the age of 79. By then she had served as Middle School secretary under a number of principals, including Coach Ray Lamb and her dear friend Mary Evans. She planned school field trips, handled fundraising projects, and knew every student by name. In her later years Mrs. Bolton was an active member of the Commerce First Presbyterian Church. She delivered Meals on Wheels and volunteered at the gift shop of Northridge Hospital well past her 90th birthday.

Cooking up plentiful "southern style" meals for her children, grandchildren, relatives and friends was her special delight. She was a gracious hostess: around her table there was always room for one, or perhaps a dozen, more. No one went away hungry.

She is survived by her children: Carolyn Bolton Storey (Sam) of Marietta, Georgia; Billie Bolton of Greensboro, North Carolina; and James Douglas Bolton (Suellyn Winkle) of Williston Florida.
Five grandchildren: Sam Storey, Jr. (Kristi) of Marietta; Betsy Storey Kelley (Robert) of Marietta; Claire Ricci (Adam) of Greensboro, NC; Addie Woods (Dakeya) of Atlanta and Clay Bolton also of Atlanta. Seven great grandchildren: Elizabeth Storey, Harber Storey, Frances Storey, Mary Margaret Kelley, Elizabeth Kelley, Miles Dixon and Evan Woods.
She is also survived by her siblings: Rebecca Dixon and Mary Harrison, both of Commerce; Janet Hicks (Crawford) of Shreveport, Louisiana; Alice Linton of Atlanta; brother, William Harber (Emily) of Commerce; and two devoted sisters-in-law, Edith Nix, also of Commerce, and Mildred Harber of Macon. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a wide circle of friends also survive.

She was predeceased by her husband and by two younger brothers, George M. Harber of Macon and James J. Harber, Jr., of Commerce.

Her life will be celebrated on February 28, 2015, at 2 p.m., at the Commerce First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Craig Topple officiating. Prior to the service she will be interred with the Harber family in Grey Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, February 27, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Little Ward Funeral Home.

Memorials can be made to Commerce First Presbyterian Church or Tranquility at Kennesaw Mountain Hospice, Marietta.