Obituary of Willie Bolton

Funeral services for Willie Turner Bolton, age 84, of Point, was held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 10, 2013 at West Oaks Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor M. L. Curry officiating. There was no formal visitation. Interment followed at Sandfield Cemetery with Sterling Clark, Darien Thomas, Mark Turner, Norris Lacy, Glenn Turner and Ronnie Washington serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were her nephews. Willie was born on September 1, 1928 to the late Fannie Lee and Cecil Devance, Sr., in Hopkins County, Texas. Willie was affectionately called "Bill" by many who loved her. She attended school in Como, Texas. She was married to the late Burnis Turner, Sr. To this union three children, Burnis Turner, Jr., Sandra Kay Turner and Larnita Turner were born. She later married George Bolton of Dallas, Texas who preceded her in death. Willie was a resident of the Richland Community in Point, Texas. She joined the Independent Missionary Baptist Church in “Sandfield” Como, Texas at a young age and later joined Greater El Bethel Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Willie was involved in several business ventures during her lifetime. She owned and operated a café, a motel and a barbeque business. Additionally, she and Burnis operated a dairy farm for 16 years and after his passing she operated the dairy for another 24 years. Willie was one of the few African American females in Texas to operate a dairy farm. Concurrently with operating the dairy farm, Willie worked as a Democratic Election Clerk for Rains County. Willie loved being outside; she loved working in her garden; and, she loved working with her cows. Willie also loved nature and because of her love of nature she was awarded Conservationist of the Year. She departed this life Wednesday, August 7, 2013. Willie leaves to mourn her passing one son, Burnis Turner, Jr. and his wife Darlene, one daughter, Sandra Turner, of Point, Texas and one step-son Roger Cozine (Carolyn), of Jacksonville, North Carolina; three grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. One brother, Cecil Devance (Stephanie) and four sisters, Vila Faye Stephens, Fleta Nell Carson (Willie), Larnita Thomas and Linda Lacy (Norris). Her daughter, Larnita Turner, preceded her in death and her brothers, Fred and James Devance also preceded her in death. Arrangements were under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com