Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Edith Marie Bolling was born Friday August 24, 1945, in Morven, North Carolina the thirteenth of thirteen children (aka the baby) to the late Siffus Steele and Mary (Jacie) Liles-Steele.  After 79 years of a wonderful life, Edith peacefully departed this life to join her parents, siblings, husband, other relatives, and friends on Friday October 25, 2024.  Before her transition, several family members were with Edith comforting her with prayers, stories, and goodbyes.  The siblings preceding Edith in death were Lewis, Haywood, Bernelle, Herman, Grace, Theodore, Julia, Doris, James, Peggy, Anne, and Yvonne.

Edith’s Christian education began at Harris Chapel AME Zion Church in Morven, NC where her grandparents were founding members.  In the early 80’s Edith followed her sister Yvonne joining Allen Chapel AME Church in Southeast Washington, DC., which became the family’s home church.  At Allen Chapel, Edith served as an usher for 30 plus years serving on several auxiliary ministry groups such as children’s Sunday school leader, Women of Allen Hospitality, beautification committee, and visiting with members of Allen’s sick and shut-in families.
 
Edith began her education in Anson County Public School System in Morven, North Carolina graduating from McRae High School.  After high school, Edith left the comfort and safety of her parents following her sisters to Washington, DC.  There she met and married Frederick (Rick) Bolling creating sons Jerry and Marc.  As a new wife and mother, Edith recognized she wanted a career like many of her sisters and took a teacher’s aide positions at Simon and Green Elementary Schools within the DC Public School (DCPS) system.  Edith having the encouragement of Rick, attended and graduated from Cortez Peters Business School (aka the first black business school in the country) becoming a proficient typist at 121 words per minute.  Upon graduation she started a new position within DCPS as a junior secretary at Douglas Jr. High School working her way up the ranks to senior office manager.  

Upon the closure of Douglas Jr. High, Edith relocated to Noyes Elementary School where she stayed until retirement ending 38 years of service to DCPS.  One of Edith’s joys was keeping a watchful eye over her granddaughter Sauda who she raised from the age of four.  Although retired, Edith could not stay still and started part-time employment with Prince George County Public School System in an array of jobs such as crossing guard, teacher’s aide, cafeteria cook, and school bus aide for disabled children.  When needed, Edith became a full/part-time caretaker for her husband, sister Yvonne, and sister Peggy.

Edith is survived by her son Dr. Jerry A. Bolling (Chandra) and their children Marc A., Kyle V., and Troy M.; son Marc Bolling, granddaughter Sauda Z. Bolling, and two great-grand dogs Archie and Coco.  Additionally, she leaves a sister-in-law Evelent (James) Steele and two brothers-in-law Leo (Doris) Johnson, Thomas (Grace) Johnson, a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, great-grandnephews, and great-grandnieces too many to name individually.  There is no universe big enough, wide enough, or expansive enough to cover her life and no one or nothing could possibly fill the void of her passing.  But loving her as much as we did, we know it is best she goes onto this new journey without us until the day we join her in her heavenly home.  ~ The Family of Edith Marie Bolling   

Relatives and friends are invited to Edith's Life Celebration on Friday, November 22, 2024 from 10 A.M. until the start of the service at 11 A.M. at Clinton Baptist Church, 8701 Woodyard Road, Clinton MD, 20735. Interment to follow at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Upper Marlboro, MD, 20623.

Edith Marie Bolling

Edith Marie Bolling

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