Ralph Fleming Bolden

Mr. Ralph Fleming Bolden, 98 of Monroe, NC died Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at his home.  Mr. Bolden was a retired Educator and Principal in Union County Public School System.  Funeral Services will be held 2pm Saturday, November 2, 2013 at Central United Methodist Church, 801 S. Hayne St., Monroe, NC 28112.  Bishop Osco E. Gardin, Jr., Pastor of Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church of Monroe, NC, Eulogist. Mr. Bolden body will lie in repose 1pm to 1:55 pm prior to the service at the church.  Interment will follow in the Hillcrest Cemtetery in Monroe, NC.  Public viewing will be held 11 am to 7pm Friday, November 1, 2013 at Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Monroe.

Mr. Bolden was born in Asheville, NC, Friday, July 9, 1915 a son of the late Walter and Katie Hemphill Bolden. He recieved a Bachelors Degree from Johnson C. Smith University and furthered his education at New York University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  His studies lead him to become an Educator and Principal at Western Union School where he reired after 30 years of service.  Mr. Bolden was a dedicated member of Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church since 1941 where he served as Chairman of the Trustee Committee.  He was also well Known for his involvement in his community where he served as Board Chairman of Union County Community Action, Special gift worker for the United Way, Member of the NAACP Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the Union County Youth Service Task Force Board, Treasurer of Union County Black Leadership Caucus and a number of other organizations.

He was preceeded in death by his parents, wife Jennie Bolden; daughters; Katheryn Bolden Ivey and Janet Massey, (Bobby) and grand daughter Paulette Bolden.

Mr. Bolden leaves to cherish fond and beautiful memories his daughter; Abigail Crowder, (Larry), grand daughters  Kathy Ivey-Bolden Kim Ivey-Bolden, (Kenneth), Shana Nicholas, (Brandon) and Stephanie Massey Streater, (Dwayne); grand sons; Larry Crowder, Jr. and Ralph Crowder; fourteen great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren one niece and nephew and a host of great-nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and love ones.