Rev. Dr. Vernie L. Bolden, Sr., age 79, died in the early morning hours Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Abington-Landsdale Hospital in Landsdale, Pennsylvania.
Born and raised in the hills of Pocahontas County at Seebert, he was son of the late Bracey Robert “Bob” and Dakota B. Bolden.
As a young boy, Vernie spent two years in Huntington, where he met his future wife. He attended Douglass High School and was a graduate of Hillsboro High School. Education was important to him, he attended and graduated from Marshall University with a BA in Psychology and Religion. He earned his BD and M. Div. from Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania, and advanced degrees from Springfield College in Massachusetts, and Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Following graduation from seminary, he ministered to the migrant community in Highland, New York.
Over a 40 year period, Dr. Bolden pastored churches throughout the United States, beginning in West Virginia, then, with his family in tow, he pastored in Massachusetts, Ohio, New York, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. He also held faculty appointments at Springfield Technical Community College in Massachusetts, and New River Community College in Dublin, Virginia.
Dr. Bolden wrote a number of books and articles in the areas of psychology, religion and spirituality. In addition to preaching, teaching and writing, he could always be found browsing local thrift stores and serving as the handyman of the house. In his later years, he resided in Landsdale, Pennsylvania, with his wife and one of their daughters, then at Gwynedd Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Donald T. Bolden; and a sister, Lillie B. Lewis.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Margie Ann Cobbs Bolden; daughters, Beth A. Durodoye, and husband, Raifu, of Statesboro, Georgia, Tara L. Howard, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Lori B. McClaind, and husband, Spence, of Landsdale, Pennsylvania; a son, Vernie L. Bolden, Jr., and wife, Angela, of Roanoke, Virginia; a brother, George R. Bolden, and wife, Janie; sister-in-law, Madeline Bolden, 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life was held February 15 at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, Virginia, with Word of Comfort: “A Time Like This,” by Pastor Rev. Vernie L. Bolden, Jr. Interment will be held at a later date in Woodmere Memorial Park, 2700 Washington Blvd., Huntington.
