Cothenia Jones Jolley, 86, beloved mother, grandmother and educator in Boiling Springs, passed away Friday, November 8, 2013, at Wendover Hospice in Shelby.
Born December 4, 1926 in Caroleen, NC, Mrs. Jolley was the daughter of O. O. (Onze Oliver) and Mary Alice Jones. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Marion Lansford Jolley, and by her sister, Irene Jones Hamrick.
Mrs. Jolley served 36 years in the field of education. She taught at Boiling Springs, Caroleen and Crest High schools and completed her educational career as guidance counselor at Crest High School, Shelby NC.
One of her proudest accomplishments was chairing the committee of NC Retired School Personnel who researched and wrote a 4-volume history of the schools of Cleveland County. The recently completed series is titled Tracings: Schools and Schooling and covers the 170-year period from 1800-1970. The first volume records the history of African American schools in the county; the 2nd volume, written by Mrs. Jolley, is a history of the Crest district; the 3rd volume is the history of the Burns district and the 4th volume, the Kings Mountain and Shelby districts. Mrs. Jolley was quick to acknowledge the contributions of many educators to this lofty endeavor, especially the late Ezra Bridges and the late Sybil Dixon of the Compilation and Editing Committee.
Additionally Mrs. Jolley had served as the Archivist for Gardner-Webb University.
Mrs. Jolley received her undergraduate degrees from Gardner-Webb Junior College and Carson-Newman College, and earned her master’s and educational specialist degrees from Peabody College (now affiliated with Vanderbilt University).
She was an active member of several professional organizations, including Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society for teachers, and the NC Retired School Personnel of Cleveland County.
A faithful member of Boiling Springs Baptist Church, Mrs. Jolley had served in the past as the church’s Minister of Education and also Minister of Music. She taught a ladies’ Sunday School class, sang in the senior adult choir, and helped lead the senior adult ministry.
Her service to the community included leadership roles in numerous civic organizations: Boiling Springs Extension Club, the Sorosis Club, and the Philsonian Book Club.
Mrs. Jolley is survived by her daughter, Lana Jolley Henkel and husband Russell W. Henkel and by her grandsons, Jeremy and Jonathan Henkel, all of Boiling Springs.
Heartfelt thanks to Wendover Hospice for the loving care they extended to Mrs. Jolley.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 pm Monday at Boiling Springs Baptist Church.
A celebration of life service will follow at 6 pm at the church, with the Dr. Carroll Page officiating.
The burial will be at 3 pm Tuesday at Cleveland Memorial Park, Shelby, NC.
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.
