“May you always be under the shadow of His great Wing.” This is a quote that Elsie Catherine Lindsey Bolton always used when she signed cards and letters through the years. On March 11, 2023, Catherine left this Earth and she is now under the shadow of His wings.
Catherine was born in Enterprise, Tennessee on October 14, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Eula Mae “Lindsey” McCormick Lindsey and the late John Sidney Lindsey.
In the 30’s, Catherine and her family moved to 1019 South Main Street in Columbia. Her family ran Lindsey’s Boarding Home in the upstairs area of one of the two twin Sears Roebuck & Co. houses on South Main (the lighter colored house on the left side). Her family also ran a home for the elderly right next door to her home.
The Lindsey family managed several restaurants in the downtown area of Columbia and the Columbia Hotel (formerly across from Fuzzy Duck Liquors). Catherine’s mother, employees, and family members can be seen in photographs standing on the porch of the Hotel when President Lyndon B. Johnson stopped at the Dairy Queen (where the Fuzzy Duck is now) to get ice cream after the dedication of Columbia State Community College.
Catherine grew up playing in the downtown area of Columbia with her four nephews (Gerry Lindsey, Jimmy Lindsey, David Lindsey, and Danny Lindsey) and many sweet friends. She loved attending Saturday matinees of movies through the years. She attended Andrews School, Whitthorne Jr. High School, and Columbia Central High School. Upon graduation, Catherine attended Columbia Business College.
After meeting each other at a Mule Day Dance and a short courtship, Catherine married William Eugene (Bill) Bolton at First United Methodist Church in November 1952. They moved to Kentucky for a short time while Bill finished serving in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Once moving back to Columbia, they purchased a house on Williamsport Pike that was their home for over sixty-five years.
Catherine worked for South Central Bell as an operator during her early years of marriage. She later worked at Dupont and Spontex. The love of her work life was her time as the Church Secretary at First United Methodist Church, in Columbia (for over seventeen years). Also, Catherine could drive “Big Blue” (a large Church Bus) like no other during all the years of the Rainbow Sound (a non-denominational singing/performance group comprised of hundreds of teens through its seven years and sponsored by FUMC).
Making people laugh and doing things for others was a true passion for Catherine. She never held back in any situation, and she was loved by many. She adored animals. She had very special pets throughout her life. Catherine also loved music. She enjoyed playing her large record collection, and her children grew up with a house filled with music.
She is survived by her children, Lauri Kaye Bolton (Phil) Burns of Mount Pleasant and Lindsey Michael (Paige) Bolton of New Market, TN; grandchildren, William Parker Bolton, and Zachary James Bolton; niece and nephews, Jimmy Lindsey, David Lindsey, Vicki Lindsey, Terri Skipper, and Kathy Underwood.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William E. “Bill” Bolton; brothers, Emory Houston Lindsey, and Eldon Toby Lindsey; and nephews, Gerry Lindsey, and Danny Lindsey.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Lee Stevenson and Reverend Tommy Vann officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home and Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until service time in the Atrium of First United Methodist Church.
Active pallbearers will be Phil Burns, Zach Bolton, Will Bolton, Paige Bolton, and Michael Bolton. Honorary pallbearers include Melanie Stephens, Denise Collins, Gloria Ann Burns, Callie Braden, Guy Odom (she did not forget), Robbie Richardson (she did not forget you either), all the nurses and caring staff of Brookdale Assisted Living, Paige, Lisa, and other aides from Hospice Compassus.
The family suggests memorials be made to Brookdale Activity Fund, 5011 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401, First United Methodist Church, 222 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401, or Maury County Animal Shelter, 1233 Mapleash Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401.
Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandichols.com.
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