Iora Bolton

The beloved and adored Mother Iora Bolton transitioned to eternal rest on Tuesday, December 18, 2024, lovingly surrounded by family, and comforted by a respectable assembly of church family. Her mother Beatrice Allen and father Elder Henry Allen preceded her in death.

Mother Bolton was born in Sunflower, Mississippi, her family relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana in 1942 making it their forever home. She accepted Christ at an early age at 12th Church of God In Christ in Indianapolis, Indiana under the leadership of Bishop John Boone. Mother Bolton completed her primary and secondary education in the Indianapolis Public School System (Crispus Attucks). Mother Bolton was the recipient of a plethora of certificates and awards from the Home Economics Clothing class.

As an attendee of the National Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ in 1956 Mother Bolton met the love of her life, Henry C. Bolton, in the basement of Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee. She married him on February 08, 1958. They enjoyed Forty-Four years together on this side of Glory. All those years she served in support of her husband who held church leadership positions at the St. Paul COGIC. To this union, three daughters were born, Sandra, Lenora and Brenda.

Upon marrying Henry, Mother Bolton quit her “good job” at Motorola and moved to Chicago with her husband. She and her husband attended Roberts Temple COGIC at Fortieth and State Street which is now a City of Chicago Landmark under the tutelage of the late Bishop Isaiah Roberts until 1971. She and her husband then attended St. Paul Church of God in Christ under the tutelage of the late Bishop Louis Henry Ford until his demise and then under the auspices of the late Bishop Charles M. Ford. Mother Bolton joined Prayer Tower Ministries COGIC in Joliet, Illinois in 2016.

Mother Bolton graciously embarked upon her Mothers Board role Sunday, October 07,  2018, at Prayer Tower COGIC and served until the Lord called her home. She also served with grace and honor assisting her pastor, Bishop Warren Dorris and First Lady Rita Dorris.

Mother Bolton was the consummate example of a Proverbs 31 Woman of God.  The Scripture tells us in Proverbs 31:30b (KJV):“But a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”  Her memory will be treasured by continuing to sing her praises because of the example she set for Christian women in every aspect of her life’s journey from being the wife of a deacon, to the organizations she served as a Secretary, Cook and a Co-Business Owner. Mother Bolton’s life work was achieved through perseverance and steadfastness. It’s only fitting that Mother Bolton’s favorite Scripture is Proverbs 3:6 (KJV) “In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy Path”. She Faithfully committed her time and talents to the Mothers Board (PTM), Unity Circle (St. Paul COGIC) and the, Chooze and Chats Club. She did it all with grace as unto The Lord.

Mother Bolton was part of a group of women who worked at the Goldblatt’s department store in downtown Chicago in 1964 where she worked and have remained friends until today and was referred to as “the girls”: Edith Bass (deceased), Marjel Doby (deceased), Winnifred Jackson (deceased) Frances Bryant (deceased), and June Foster Siggers. They would eat lunch together, cover for one another when they ran out to do errands in downtown Chicago on their breaks and stayed a little longer than expected, inform one another of the great bargains Goldblatt’s had and attended weddings, graduations and various activities for each of their children. This 60 year old friendship never died.

Mother Bolton also had another friendship that lasted 64 years which was the Chooze and Chat club formed in 1960. Its’ members were Shirley Huggs (deceased), Dorothy Whitehead (deceased), Gertude McKenzie (deceased), Doreatha Mosley (deceased), Margaret Threlkeld (deceased), Irene Brown (deceased), Naomi Jackson (deceased), Marjel Doby (deceased), Othel Roberts (deceased), Frances Sanders (deceased), Lela Parson (deceased), Esther Mason (deceased), Ann Oliver (deceased), Mary Driskoll (deceased), Elizabeth Hill (deceased), Leola Bryant (deceased), Esther Grover, Coetta Jones, and Odessa Douglas. Iora was one of the original members and had the first baby (Sandra Bolton) of the inception of the club. They would meet every 2nd Saturday of the month at each other’s home. They were a Christian group of women formed for a need of good wholesome Christian socialization. They would eat and “chew the fat” as to how the name became Chooze and Chat. Some of the renown banquets were themed “Rhaspody in Blue” where they were adorned in beautiful blue gowns held at the Lexington House in Hickory Hills, IL and a Luau held at the Holiday Inn in Harvey, IL, where they were adorned in Hawaiian attire (grass skirts). They also believed in giving back to the community. Many recipients were able to attend college due to their thoughtfulness and administration.

Mother Bolton’s living and dearly departed family celebrate and rejoice in her legacy and example of a Proverbs 31 woman. She was predeceased by her devoted husband and life partner Deacon Henry C. Bolton (2002), and they parented three wonderful daughters:  Sandra A. Bolton, Lenora V. Bolton, and Brenda F. Bolton-Jackson (Darryl).  Four beautiful Grandchildren:  Bryson C. Bolton (Khara), Daniel B. Jackson, Cydney D. Jackson and Zoe A. Jackson: One beautiful Great Grandchild: Kaya-Brielle Bolton: siblings: Georgia M. Allen Travis (deceased) Louise Allen Young, Henry Allen, Lela Allen Parson (deceased), Henrietta Allen Keys (deceased), Anna Mae Allen Herron (deceased), Ruby Allen Tamper (deceased), Zellee Allen (deceased) and Connie Allen Labner (deceased). Her loving Goddaughter Deborah Hudson: Her In-Laws: Pastor Harrison Bolton (Larnette), Maxine Tabb, Bobbie Bolton, Verlee Bolton and Carol Stephens and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins as well as close friends and Prayer Tower church family.

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