Bertie Bolding

Bertie Bolding, 94, departed this life on August 26, 2018. Born to Bert and Mary Ann Bethurem, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, J.A. (Sonny) Bolding, and a son, Jim Bolding. She leaves behind to respect and cherish her memory, her daughter, Eva; son-in-law, Don; sister-in-law, Billie Bethurem; grandchildren, Barbara Petrosky, David Bolding (Cheryl), and Josh Edens; great grand-children, Michael (Maraysa) Petrosky, Laura Petrosky, Reabecca and Nick Bolding; and four generations of nieces and nephews, all of whom cherished their Aunt Bertie. She was a member of Hebron Baptist Church. Bertie's family was the most important thing in her life, from the time a then-19-year-old with a baby saw her husband off to WWII for two years, all the way to taking care of that husband for his last 8 years when diabetic complications set in. When her kids were growing up, she was always at every activity they had: She was the room mother, Sunday School teacher, church youth counselor, and whatever else was required to be a part of their lives. She and Sonny were always very active in their church, and worked very well with teenagers. When at South Highland Baptist, Bertie taught young women. Until the end, different ones would reach out to her to tell her what an important part in their Christian growth she had been. She made a difference. Her faith in her Lord was strong, and her life inspirational. When her son was grown and Eva was a teenager, she started a successful career in real estate. She did that for 20 years, then retired to being the best wife, mother and grandmother she could be. She was a two-time breast cancer survivor, but didn't let those challenges get her down for even a day. She devoted her later years to gardening, going to gospel concerts, listening to books on disc due to macular degeneration, and running her beloved church library at Hebron Baptist Church. Her granddaughter always said that her grandmother was her role-model – if she wanted to do something, she did, and nothing could stop her. When, two years ago, Don and Eva decided to retire to Lake Norrell, they asked her to move in with them. She declined, saying she liked her privacy and independence. But she did want to be close, so she designed and had built a little cabin next to them on her beloved lake. She said that she wished everyone could be as excited about life as she was at 92 while making her plans. Her last year in her little house was among the happiest times of her fascinating life. The funeral arrangements are as follows: Visitation will be from 12-1:30 p.m., Friday, August 31, 2018 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark., followed by a 2 p.m. graveside service at Pinecrest Memorial Park on Highway 5, with her nephew, Rev. Terry Armstrong, officiating. Immediately after that, the family would love all to join them in the Hospitality Room at Pinecrest to celebrate Bertie. Donations in her memory may be made to Hebron Baptist Church Library Fund, 18715 Kanis Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72223. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.