Mary Bolling Thomas

THOMAS - Mary Bolling Thomas, 95, passed away on Wednesday, September 9th after a long illness. Mrs. Thomas was born April 18, 1920 in Clayton, North Carolina moving to the Avondale area of Jacksonville while still a small child. She remained a lifelong residence of the Jacksonville area. Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her husband, Jacksonville physician Dr. Robert Yates Haynes Thomas lll who passed away in 1965. She was also preceded in death by her brother Alexander Strachan Duncan of Austin, Texas.

Mrs. Thomas was the daughter of the late Paul Carlisle Duncan of Clayton, N.C. and the late Minnie (Bea) Strachan Duncan of Surry County, Virginia. She was the granddaughter of Dr. Joseph Blackwood Strachan of Petersburg, Virginia and “Minnie” Ruffin Strachan of “Spring Garden/Broomfield”, Surry County, Virginia.

Mrs. Thomas was a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School where she was a member of the Lambda Sigma sorority. She attended Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee majoring in English literature and held membership in Kappa Delta sorority. She was a member of the Jacksonville Cotillion, Spinsters, and the Junior League of Jacksonville. Mary Bolling, as she was known by her friends, was a member of the Ponte Vedra Club, and honorary life member of Timuquana Country Club and the Florida Yacht Club. Mrs. Thomas was a longtime member of St. Marks Episcopal Church.

She is survived by two sons, Robert Y.H. Thomas IV, and Peter Ruffin Thomas (Karen) and one grandson, Peter Ruffin Thomas Jr.

Mrs. Thomas was strong-willed, compassionate, and a loving, devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Fond of animals and the outdoors, among her most cherished memories were the years living with her family in their country home surrounded by pets, pastures, pine trees, pecan and orange groves, and Dr. Thomas’s fine harness and english saddle show horses. Always active, Mary Bolling enjoyed playing tennis, golf and bridge with her many friends. Despite losing her husband at an early age, when asked by her children if she ever needed anything, Mary Bolling always responded she’d been blessed with everything she’d could have ever hoped for.

The family would like to acknowledge the love and support of the following caregivers: Delain Sawyer, Shirley Johnson, Baleesh Anthony, Sade Williams, Angel Studor R.N., Alesha Brust - Respiratory Therapist, Dr. Michael Stevens.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00pm on Friday, September 18th at Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Mrs. Thomas’s name to St. Marks Episcopal Church. Jacksonville, Florida.