Obituaries

Marie Marcella Cole Bolton

Marie Marcella Cole Bolton of New Kent, VA went to be with our Lord on January 27, 2023.  She was 89 years old.

Marcella was born in Jonesborough, TN on June 23, 1933, to Seth and Connie Cole.  She attended school on the East Tennessee State University campus starting at the Training School in first grade and continued through graduation from ETSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in music and a minor in Education.   She played basketball on her high school team and was voted most athletic her senior year.  In college, she focused on music and produced and performed a voice recital in multiple languages.  She was voted most talented during her senior year in college.

Marcella met the love of her life, Warren Lee Bolton, in 1947.  She was 14 and he was 13 years old.  They married in 1955 and began their lives and their family in Newport News, VA where she lived for the next 58 years before relocating to New Kent, VA.  During that time, she worked as an elementary teacher for the Newport News Public School System.  She was also active in her church working with the youth group and later serving for years as the choir director where she was able to share her love for music and for God.  Soon after she lost her husband in 1995, she founded the KIT (Keeping in Touch) group to minister to widowed women in an effort to bring hope and comfort.  She was also active in the Alice Applewhite Garden Club, and she enjoyed spending time with her friends in the SAGNU organization.

Marcella is predeceased by her parents Seth and Connie, her husband, Warren, and her brother, Desmond Houston Cole.  She is survived by her son, Michael Brian Bolton (Doris Largena Bolton), and her daughter, Rebecca Sue Bolton Huffstetler (William Harvey Huffstetler, III), Grandchildren, William Harvey Huffstetler, IV, Warren Clayton Huffstetler, (Yurisahm Diannydza Vazquez Huffstetler) Jessica Cole Huffstetler Smith, (James Nicholas Smith) Carl Taylor Huffstetler, Dana Marie Bolton O’Connor, (Diarmaid John O’Connor) and Crystal Dawn Bolton.  She also leaves four great grandchildren, Katherine Marie Smith, James William Smith, Maeve Patricia O’Connor and Ethan Warren Huffstetler as well as nieces and nephews, Dennis, Rick, Debbie, Steve, Scot, Brian, Julie, Matt and Holly.

Marcella lived her entire life guided by the Christian values that were laid in her foundation by her parents, and she taught the same to her children and grandchildren.  She touched many lives and shared her faith freely.  It gives us great comfort and joy to know that she is with our Father, but until we see her again, she will be terribly missed.

We will celebrate her life on February 11, 2023, starting at the Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Boulevard in Newport News, VA.  Visitation will begin at 12:30, and the service will begin at 2:00 p.m. followed by a graveside service at Peninsula Memorial Park.

6 Comments

  1. Penney Martin

    To the the family. I so well remember Marcella at the 24th Street church. She had the MOST beautiful singing voice. And Mr. Matthews was the minister. He LOVED for her to sing “When They Ring Those Golden Bells.” I got to know her better when I was older. Never knew how witty she was. She is somebody I’m glad I have memories. I also remember Warren. So sorry she is gone. I know it’s a GREAT loss for you.
    Blessings to all.

  2. Dennis Cole

    Aunt Marcella was so wonderful. She is fun loving, truthful and christian. I love her and look forward to seeing her on the other side.
    My prayers for the the family is for comfort, peace and assurance of Father’s love.

  3. Jim Walls

    To the family,
    I am so sorry for your loss. My late wife taught in the school system with Marcella. They had some good times together. I knew Warren from the shipyard. They were a wonderful couple and leave us all with fond memories. God bless.

  4. Joann George

    Becky, I just heard about your mom today. So sorry! She was also our choir director when my husband was preaching at Olivet in Denbigh. I’m going to notify Northside. I’m not able to attend because I now have Multiple Sclerosis. I remember you were friends with one of my children (probably Holly or Robbie).
    Your mom was self sufficient for many years. She’d drive her van full of friends on many trips. I remember when she had surgery and came home caring for herself! You can certainly be proud of her! My sincere sympathy to you and your family. RIP Marcella

  5. Steve Waddell

    Becky and Mike,
    I’ll never forget when I was in 4th grade and was asked by Marcella to come to her 4th-grade class along with my friend Stewart who was 3 years older than me and provide a snake show with some of our pet snakes. She always used to tease me because I told her class I was in 6th grade (I didn’t want to look like another 4th grader then, even though I was, LOL).

    I also remember her fondly when she would sing with my mom and my dad in the choir every Sunday at Olivet Church in Denbeigh, and we’d walk to 7-11 after church. 🙂 One thing I never did learn about her though was what her license plate “SAGNU” meant! She never would say.

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