Mary Jane Jones Boland

Mary Jane Jones Boland, 94, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2026 surrounded by her family. She was born in Macon, Georgia, on September 16, 1931, to the late Clarence Griswald Jones and Essie Mae Jones. The middle child of three daughters, Mary Jane was a daddy’s girl and followed her father, lovingly called “Bootsie,” everywhere he went.

Mary Jane graduated from Miller High School in 1949, where she served as secretary and treasurer of her class during both her junior and senior years and was the ROTC sponsor. She also starred as the heroine, Sally Brown, in the school production of Sweet Sally Brown.

After graduation, Mary Jane went to work at Banker’s Health and Life Insurance. During a company Christmas party held at the now historical Hay House, she was invited to sing, delighting the audience with “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” — a fitting moment, considering she would one day marry a dentist.

On March 15, 1951, Mary Jane married Joseph Lee Boland Jr. They shared 72 years of marriage, and throughout their life together Joe affectionately called her “Jelly Bean.” As Joe attended college and later dental school, Mary Jane worked as an accounting assistant. In 1966, she was honored by the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry with the PHT (“Putting Hubby Through”) Award. Together they built a successful dental practice in Macon, where Mary Jane faithfully handled the office payroll for more than 50 years.

Mary Jane and Joe were lifelong members of Forest Hills United Methodist Church, where she taught children’s Sunday school, cared for the nursery, and helped with youth ministry events. Her faith and servant’s heart were evident in all she did.

Mary Jane will be remembered for her beautiful smile that lit up every room, her beautiful voice and love of music, especially the piano. She was known for her endless generosity and hospitality, as well as her remarkable creativity — from arranging flowers and restoring antique furniture to a natural gift for design. She always saw potential in everything and found ways to make it better.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Lee Boland Jr.; her son, Joseph Lee Boland III; her sister, Betty Windham Kitchens; her brother-in-law, Charles Walter Boland; and her sister-in-law, Margaret Ann Wright.

She is survived by her children, Jan Beuning (Rick), Jill Dykes (Jim), and Paul Boland (Lis); her grandchildren who adored their Mimi — Tony Harris (Annie), Ellis Dykes (McLendon), Sullivan Dykes, Boland Dykes, Amelia Boland (Morgan Geiser), Claire Beachy (Parker), Mary Jane Boland, and Ann Drew Boland; her great-grandchildren, Lilly, Lilah, and Isabella Harris; her sister, Elsie Wade Reese; her sister-in-law, Sue Rhinehart; and her brother-in-laws, Eddie Wright and Dan (Ena) Boland, along with many loving nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank her caregivers, whom she called her friends: Jennifer, Gerri, LaQuinta, Janice, Betty, Pat, and Sabrina, as well as the nurses, staff, and residents at Carlyle Place for their kindness, friendship and care.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, March 2, 2026 at Forest Hills Church with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Rev. Jeremy Wilson will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.

Snow's Memorial Chapel, Bass Road, has charge of arrangements.