MARIETTA, Ga. — Linda Lucille Dawkins Bolding, age 68, died peacefully in her home on Friday, May 8, 2015.

Linda was born on Sept. 1, 1946 in Rockingham, North Carolina, the daughter of the late Thomas Bruce and Nolia Currie Dawkins.

Linda married the love of her life, Paul, on Aug. 26, 1966 and from there, the adventure began. She traveled with her husband and daughters all over the world during the 28 years that he was in the Army, always telling them that their home was wherever the four of them were. When Paul retired as sergeant major in 1990, she jokingly stated that it was she who earned and wore those stripes. Her favorite duty station was in Hawaii where she accepted the Lord as her personal savior and was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Wahiawa.

She loved teaching Girls in Action (GA's) and took pride in the fact that her classes were the largest on record during her tenure teaching. She loved to cook and made the most wonderful chocolate pie that you've ever tasted. Her laughter, sarcasm, quick wit and wonderful spirit would light up any room that she was in. In their retirement years, Paul and Linda moved to Cartersville, Georgia so that they could be close to their daughters and grandchildren.

Linda loved taking care of her family and her "puppies" Sandy Pearl and Buster Brown. She has touched the lives of so many people and even though she is gone, her memory will live on in all of our hearts forever. Her spirit has not left us. Everyone who was ever touched by her in their lifetime should have faith that she will be watching over them, because that is just the kind of person she was.

She was always there when we needed her and was a consummate wife, mother, mother-in-law and "silly" grandma. She will be forever missed and never forgotten and we will always cherish the time we spent together.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Doug, James and Phil; and granddaughter, My-Linda Elizabeth.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Paul Edward Bolding; her daughter, Paula and husband Craig Kelley; her daughter, Mary and husband Johnny Akins; her sister, Grace Kemp; five grandchildren, Anthony McMurray, Brandon Lydell, Logan Johnston, Auston Kelley, Alexandrea Johnston; and one great-grandchild, Gavin Lydell.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday at the Marietta Funeral Home, 915 Piedmont Road, Marietta, GA 30066.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 AM Wednesday at the Marietta Funeral Home Chapel, and the interment will follow at 2 PM at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mariettafuneralhome.org.

Paid obituary

The Richmond County Daily Journal

Saturday, May 9, 2015