Madelyn Bolton Thomas

Madelyn Bolton Thomas died peacefully at Johnson City Medical Center on April 29, 2018.
She was born January 26, 1930 in Mt. Victory, Kentucky, the daughter of Kermit and Lula Sears Bolton, who predeceased her. She grew up and was educated largely in Harlan County, Kentucky, and began her college education at Lincoln Memorial University, where she met Kenneth Thomas, whom she married on August 26, 1949. She and Ken then moved to Kingsport where she would finish her undergraduate and graduate degrees in mathematics and where she would share in her husband's passion for education, first as a teacher at Ross N. Robinson Junior High, and then at East Tennessee State University, from which she had graduated and from which she retired. She was an inspired and inspiring educator, a dedicated community volunteer and a boon companion to her many devoted friends. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, and valued her time spent in Contemporary Book Club, Woodland Garden Club and at Exchange Place. And, of course, playing bridge.

In addition to her husband, Madelyn is survived by her daughter, Katherine Thomas Jones, of Atlanta, and her son, J. David (Janet) Thomas, of Stamford, Connecticut; grandchildren, Anne Katherine Jones (Volker Benkert) of Tempe, Arizona, Christopher (Laura) Jones and Kenneth Jones, both of Atlanta, and J. Drew Thomas, of Los Angeles; and three great-grandchildren, Mark and Lukas Benkert, and Addison Jones. She was predeceased by a brother, Kermit and a sister, Treva Bolton Driver, and is survived by sisters Shirley Bolton of Paris, Kentucky and Joyce Bolton (Neil) Smith of Kingsport, and brothers Hershell (the late Rebecca) Bolton of Crooksville, Ohio and Charles Bolton, of Paris. Her memory will be cherished by numerous nieces and nephews and a host of beloved cousins.

In lieu of flowers, Madelyn's family requests memorials, if desired, take the form of donations to First Presbyterian Church (100 West Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660) or to Exchange Place, 4812 Orebank Rd., Kingsport, TN 37664.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5:00 P. M. to 7:00 P. M. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. A Memorial Service will be on Thursday at 2 P. M. at First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Sharon Amstutz officiating. There will be a family inurnment at the church columbarium.