BOLTON, DOROTHY LEE (1984 ~ 1989). The following is an obituary for Dorothy Lee "Dolly" Bolton, spouse of Paul Bolton. The obituary was published in the Austin American Statesman.
Dorothy Lee Bolton Mrs. Dorothy Lee Bolton, (Dolly), died at her home Thursday morning, November 10, 1989. Mrs. Bolton was the widow of the late Paul Bolton. She had lived In Austin since 1931.
Mrs. Bolton is survived by her daughter, Beverly Jane Bolton Sonntag; and her son, Christopher Lee Bolton, both of Austin; a sister, Mrs. Ethelyn Hearn (Mrs. Benton) of Mission, Texas. She is survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren are James Bernard Sonntag of Manassas, Virginia, George Christopher Sonntag, Christopher Nicholas Paul Bolton, William Nelson Lee Bolton and Alexandra Dorothy Eileen Bolton, all of Austin. Great-grandchildren are Aaron Lee Sonntag and Barrett Bolton Sonntag of Manassas, Virginia. Mrs. Bolton was preceded in death by her grandson, Paul Bolton Sonntag; and by her brother, James Nelson Brown.
A fourth generation Texan, Mrs. Bolton was born in San Antonio, daughter of Ethel May Coffy Brown and Robert E. Lee Brown, who were natives of San Antonio. Mrs. Bolton had verified numerous stories of her forbearers going back in time to their participation in the Revolutionary War and earlier settlement in Virginia and New York, and in place to Scotland, Ireland, England and Germany. A grandmother, Maggie Clark Brown, had emigrated from Ireland to land at Indianola, Texas. A great-grandfather Coffy was responsible for the settlement of many Scots in Texas. Another grandfather, Almond Swartwood came to Texas while constructing the Texas and Pacific Railroad. Mrs. Bolton's grandparents were on both the northern and southern sides of the Civil War.
Mrs. Bolton grew up in Oklahoma City and attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, and the University of Missouri where she was awarded a bachelor of journalism degree. She was active and well liked at these schools and among many honors was president of the student body at Stephens. After graduation, she was employed by the Dally Oklahoman newspaper in Oklahoma City. Mrs. Bolton was married to Bird Paul Bolton of Fairfax, Oklahoma In 1926.
Mr. Bolton was employed by a national news service; and the young couple, and later, family, lived in Chicago and Springfield, Illinois, Dallas and Austin. Mrs. Bolton was a member and worked in organizations such as the Parent Teacher Association, Planned Parenthood and the American Red Cross.
She was an early day environmentalist and preservationist. She served on the board of directors of the Travis Audubon Society and of the Heritage Society of Austin. She was chairwoman of the Heritage Society's first highly successful antique show. She was a lifetime member of these groups, as well as of the Nature Conservancy and the Texas Ornithological Society. In order to bird watch, she traveled worldwide during the final years of her life.
From childhood on, she had an intense enthusiasm and interest in all life. Mrs. Bolton was a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) throughout her life. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 PM, Monday in the Colonial Chapel at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, with Dr. Irwin Crane, minister of the University Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in the State Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Chuck Kuhlman, Jim Stoddard, Chris Bolton, Kit Bolton, Lee Bolton, Jim Sonntag, and James Bernard Sonntag. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Henry, Jordon Cowman, George Sonntag, Senator Ralph Yarborough, Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, J.J. "Jake" Pickle, MC, Dr. Horace Cromer, Ray Magers, John Hood, Elbert Hooper, W.Y. Ferrlck, Keith Skaggs, and William Buida.
Memorials may be sent to the Paul and Dolly Bolton Scholarship Fund at the Headllners Foundation, or to a favorite charity. Arrangements by Cook-Walden Funeral Home, Lamar location.
Follow Us