Alice Jean (Kearney) Bolden

Alice Jean Kearney Bolden was the sixth of nine children born to Rev. Lawrence Charles, Sr. and Mary Etta Sharp Kearney on April 29, 1943, in Pastoria, Arkansas. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to England, Arkansas, where their faith and family blossomed and thrived.

Known as “Baby Ree” by all who love her, she’s known to have a warm, loving, and caring nature with an exuberance for learning. This exuberance was on display as she not yet 5 years old decided to attend Gartrell Memorial School with her 2 older siblings, refusing to leave their sides in their third-grade classroom! The headmaster of the school had to find a solution to this unusual predicament and attempted to place Baby Ree in the first-grade classroom, which was found to be full; so off to the second-grade she went at nearly 5 years old. 

She graduated from Gartrell Memorial High School as co-valedictorian in 1962 and went on to achieve her B.A. degree at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She achieved her master’s degree in urban development and education at Chicago State University and through an inner-city program sponsored by the city of Chicago to help at-risk youth in the community.

When she returned to her roots in England, she continued her vocation in education and dedicated 38 years of her life to the education of children.

As a member of First Missionary Baptist Church, it grew as an extension of her own home since she was eleven years old.  She served in many of the church’s auxiliary programs.  She was also a member of The Heavenly Bound Missionary Baptist for several years and acted as the #1 choir cheerleader and served on the “Mothers Board.” This congregation brought a renewal of spirit to her and enveloped her in constant love and support.

God’s love was expressed in every facet of her being as she showed her love to any and every one in need without complaint; her home was open to anyone who wanted to stop by for a visit, have a meal or need some support or guidance in their time of need. She believed that whatever achievement she gained and acquired in life was not of her own abilities but through the will and goodness of GOD.

The joys in her life were her children, her church, and extended family, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; her children, Wesley Jerrold Bolden and Nicole Alicia Bolden; her sisters, Ethel Bradley, Virgie Hamilton and Dorothy Joiner, as well as her 2 brothers, James Kearney and Jeremiah Kearney, Sr.

To cherish her legacy, she leaves behind her children; Valery Hubbard, Christopher Bolden, Corey and Marsha Bolden, Corvin Bolden, Xavier Bolden-Smith and William Smith, Jr., Courtney Bolden; additional children she raised as her own beloved in her heart forever. She leaves her undying love to her 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She also leaves to cherish her memory her 2 sisters, 4 brothers, many cousins, nieces, nephews, caring neighbors, friends, family and brothers and sisters in Christ.

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