Mrs. Shirley Bell Bolding

Shirley Bell Bolding was born April 18, 1940, in Gilmer, Texas, to parents, Will Jones and Ludie Mitchell. She attended Bruce High School, where she graduated in 1958. She then attended Texas College in Tyler from 1958 to 1962. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. She married James E. Bell and moved to Dallas. This union produced two children: Karen Bell Bryant and James E. Bell II. She later earned her Master of Science Economics degree from NTSU in 1974. During this time, she was also teaching in Dallas Independent School District. Shirley retired from DISD in 1997 after 30 years of dedicated service. She won numerous awards and recognition during her time as a mathematics teacher. She contributed in writing the curriculum for the district as well. Shirley always stressed the importance of education and was a living example of her words. After retirement, she loved to travel and visited different parts of the world. She never let any grass grow under her feet. She was full of life and ready to take on the world. Shirley was welcomed beyond heaven’s gates by her parents, Will Jones and Ludie Mitchell; her sister, Helen McKinney; former husband, James E. Bell; and husband, Estra H. Bolding. Shirley Bell Bolding will always be loved and remembered by her two children: Karen Bell Bryant of Cedar Hill, Texas, and James (Vida) E. Bell II of Grand Prairie, Texas; five grandchildren: Erica Bryant, Eran (Zakiya) Bryant, Eric Bryant, James (Vanessa) Bell III, and Vaneshia Bell; one brother, Randolph (Mary Louise) Jones of Gilmer, Texas; and a host of family and friends.