Helen Bolton

Helen Louise Waters Bolton, born December 29, 1926 in Akron, Ohio (but she said she couldn't help it) passed from this life into the Church Triumphant on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at her home in Blue Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care, Blue Ridge, GA.

Helen, also known as Nan to many of her family and friends, came to Fannin County as an infant when her parents decided to come home. She grew up in and around the Epworth community, going to school there and graduating from the Rabin Gap Nachochee School in Clayton GA in 1943. She attended Georgia State University in Atlanta and worked for the Bayer Company for several years. She met her husband, the late William L Bolton, through mutual friends while living in Atlanta. They were married at the Ponce de Leon United Methodist Church on July 28, 1951.

Helen worked as a secretary and Administrative Assistant for much of her adult life living in Atlanta, Tampa, FL, Bucks County, PA, Minneapolis, MN and finally returned to the Basin in 1974 where she went to work for "the Company." She was working as an Executive Assistant when she left in the early 80's and worked for a few years at Tri-State Electric Cooperative.

Helen was an active member of her church, First Methodist of Copperhill, TN. She participated in many of the church's activities including the UMW, known to those in the church as well as many in the community as "the nut lady." For many years, Helen oversaw the fundraising project of the UMW selling Pecans. She enjoyed spending time with her family and traveled as much as possible in her later years, Ireland being her favorite overseas destination.

When Helen retired from her last paying job, she became an avid volunteer at the Ocoee Whitewater Center when the Olympics were over and worked there until she was 86 years old accumulating over 3,000 volunteer hours. She also volunteered her services at the Copper Basin Senior Center for a number of years prior to moving to assisted care living in Ellijay, GA. She was thrilled to be able to come back to Blue Ridge when the new assisted living facility opened in October, 2016.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lorn F and Reathel Shell Waters, her husband, William (Bill) Lawrence Bolton, her brothers, Lorn F Jr and Charles Frances, a sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn Margaret and Philip Panter.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Janice Bolton of Chapel Hill, TN, daughter and son-in-law, Anne and David Arp of Morris Plains, NJ, grandchildren Jennifer Arp Manton (Tim), Patrick Arp(Connie), Philip Bolton, Rebecca Bolton Sudduth (Steve), Bonni Bolton Burkey (Jonathan), Jacob Bolton (Rebekah), Leah Bolton Forbert (David), and 13 great grandchildren.

Her family is grateful for the care provided by Home Instead caretakers during the last month of her earthly life. Memorials can be sent to the First UMC, Copperhill,TN or to Homestead Hospice who provided care for Helen as well.

Funeral services will be held Monday, April 17, 2017 at 2:00pm from the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with the Pastor Tom Reed officiating. Music will be provided by Helen's great-niece and her husband, Sara and John Clark. Interment will follow in the Barnes Chapel Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include Philip Bolton, Jacob Bolton, Patrick Arp, Timothy Manton, Steve Sudduth,
Jonathan Burkey, Todd Pack and Philip Doss.

The family will receive friends at the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home Sunday, April 16, 2017 from 4:00pm-8:00pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.