Eris Ann Bolyard, well known as “Mimi,” 79, died peacefully in her home on Sept. 24, 2019, surrounded by her children and family.
She was born Jan. 31, 1940, in Fellowsville, in the home of her parents, Howard Wesley Bolyard and Wilma Etta (Rutherford) Bolyard.
Eris graduated from Fellowsville, Class of 1957, where she met the love of her life, Dorsie Emmit Bolyard, well known as “Papal,” and settled in Morgantown, and were married for 54 years.
Mimi, worked as a waitress in a diner and the Morgantown Shirt factory when they first moved to Morgantown then became a homemaker in the home they built. While a homemaker, Mimi became an avid artist in the world of ceramics, where she cleaned, fired and finished ceramic items with a specific talent to complete the artistic rendition of drawing and painting eyes to lifelike precision. All the while she operated an in-home daycare and effectively raised countless numbers of children who still visit and call her Mimi.
She gave unselfishly to her family and friends and had a true mothers love for her children. Mimi had the talent of decorating for all holidays to storefront perfection and spent countless hours feeding and observing her birds and fish. She also enjoyed family camping with her children and grandchildren. Mimi also had a strong religious conviction and was a member of the Halleck Church.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Dorsie Emmit Bolyard; and a brother, Emerson Bolyard and his wife, Blinda.
Surviving are three children, daughter, Janice Cunningham and husband, Brad, of Bruceton Mills, son, Jeff Bolyard and wife, Penney, of Morgantown, and daughter, Julie Helms and husband, Chip, of Independence. Also surviving are her brothers, Leslie Bolyard, of Independence, Colin Bolyard and wife, Linda, of Fellowsville, Roger Bolyard and wife, Carole, of Thornton; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A service of remembrance will be held at Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, and from 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, until the 11 a.m. service with Pastor Marshall Woods officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Mt. Zion UMC Cemetery, in Marquess.
Condolences: fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com
