She is preceded in death by her mother Alma Garrett and father Stephen Garrett, her loving husband of 54 years Col Jack Bolt and daughter Julie Kay Bolt.
She is survived by her loving family; son Michael Dresser; daughter Melinda Dresser-Oakes; son Lt Col Jack Bolt and wife Joni; and Jim Bolt along with 12 devoted grandchildren; Jason Fugate, Angella Fugate-Cooper and husband Dan, Wendy Dresser and Husband Roger, Kristin Strunk, Gina Rosetti, Jamison Bolt, Alex Kolt and husband Bastien, Chase Bolt and wife Anna, Kyle Oakes and his wife Rhiannon, Kevin Oakes and his wife Amanda, Kari Oakes, Kelly Oakes and her husband Carl, and 10 loving great grandchildren!
Jennie Lee and her mother Alma left Missouri and came to Fresno when Jennie was just 2 years old. Her mother made a living by being a cook for families. She and her mom lived upstairs above the water tank at Pierson’s Farm (Wonder Valley Ranch Resort) until she was 5 because she had to go to school. Her mother was the cook for the Pierson’s family. She still has the teddy bear Mrs. Pierson gave her for Christmas.
Jennie Lee graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1946, the last class to walk out the second story window and down the steps to graduate. Her then high school sweetheart Jack Bolt, enlisted in the Air Force and flew P80 jets in Germany during the cold war. After graduating in 1946, Jennie started working as a long-distance telephone operator for the telephone company using the switchboard. Later she met and married Ray Dresser Jr. and had two children, Michael and Melinda.
She joined the Sweet Adelines during the 60’s and for one year was the president. She performed and competed in many shows in Fresno and the valley. For 20 years, Jennie took oil painting classes through the YWCA and through Linda McCoy Studios in Clovis. When she lived at Quail Lakes, she took several watercolor classes which added to her beautiful artwork. Several of her acrylic and oil paintings won ribbons at art shows.
In the early 60’s, Jennie was hired to take class school pictures throughout the valley. In 1966, she was taking pictures at Fresno High School where she ran into her old flame from Rosevelt High School, Jack Bolt. She avoided him thinking he was still married with custody of his 3 children, Jack Jr, Jim and Julie Kay. Jack later tracked Jennie down and told her he was divorced and found out that she was too. Their love rekindled and were married on July 7, 1966, with their combined family.
In the early 70’s, Fresno County Education hired Jennie as a business coordinator to set up workshops. She later quit when the family moved to Sanger. In 1980 she went back to work for Fresno County for one year as work experience class coordinator for vocational education. In 1983-1988 Jennie worked for Kings County Superintendent of Schools as a business coordinator for workshops. Jennie retired on August 29, 1988.
Jennie and her husband Jack had a full life. They traveled to Alaska, Canada, Arizona, Hawaii and many other places. They lived in Shaver for several years, Quail Lakes, and Assisted Living places. Jennie was friendly with everyone and was frequently called the Social Butterfly. She is known for her colorful matching outfits and teal painted fingernail polish. Jennie Lee touched many lives besides family, and we have been told numerous times that she was such a sweet lady. She will be missed, but she lives in our hearts forever….
A graveside service for Jennie will be held Friday, September 27, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Belmont Memorial Park, 201 N. Teilman Ave., Fresno, California 93706.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stephensandbean.com for the Bolt family.
