James Ronald “Ron” Bolen peacefully went home to his Lord and Savior on January 7, 2026.
He was born on January 23, 1952, in Calhoun City, Miss., and was the only child of Ruth Caulder Bolen and James “Jim” Bolen.
Ron was a graduate of Kirk Academy in Grenada before attending William Carey College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in music. While at WCC, Ron was a member of the Chorale and had the opportunity to perform with them at Carnegie Hall and The Citadel. Ron had a deep love of music and continued this passion at Delta State University, where he received a master’s degree in music. Following graduation, he answered the Lord’s call into ministry, serving as youth minister and/or music minister at churches in Indianola, Holly Springs, Slayden, and Nesbit.
He returned to Delta State and received a second master’s degree in counseling. He worked for Northwest Community College before becoming a high school guidance counselor for DeSoto County Schools until he retired.
It was while he was at Northwest that he met his best friend, helpmate, and love of his life, Mary Beth Sealy. They were married on August 7, 1993, and since then, she has been known as his “lovely bride” to anyone and everyone with whom he came in contact.
Second to his love of music was his love of golf. He and Mary Beth enjoyed golfing together and traveled the United States playing storied courses across the country, golfing in every state except Alaska. Ron was always quick to tell you that Mary Beth was the superior golfer of the two and enjoyed cheering her on at various tournaments across the Southeast throughout the years.
Ron’s pride and joy were his grandchildren. He loved taking Preston and Brooks to the driving range or the golf course and watching them play baseball or football. Ron adored his only granddaughter, Rachel, calling her a carbon copy of her mother, his daughter, Christie. He could often be found at dance and piano recitals or volleyball games. He loved them deeply. His proudest moments in each of their lives were their individual decisions to make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Ron was bold in his faith.
A self-described realist, he never backed down from speaking truth. He had a quick wit and enjoyed weaving stories full of detail that always ended with funny puns. He was full of “dad jokes” and always had a glass of sweet tea in hand.
To know Ron was to know his love of the Lord. He never shied away from telling others about God’s goodness and grace, often using his own testimony as an example of the Lord’s kindness and faithfulness. His desire was for everyone he interacted with to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
He longed to be in Heaven, and now he is home.
Ron was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Bolen Polk; father, James “Jim” Bolen; stepfather, Vernon Polk; sister-in-law, Debbie Sealy; and mother-in-law, Sylvia Sealy.
He is survived by his “lovely bride” of 32 years, Mary Beth Sealy Bolen of Senatobia; his daughter, Christie Bolen Griffin; her husband, Justin; and their three children, Preston, Brooks, and Rachel, all of Belden; his father-in-law, Jim Sealy Sr.; and brothers-in-law, Jim Sealy Jr. and Bob Sealy, all of Senatobia; a niece, Adrian Rowland; her husband, Justin; and their boys, Kayden, Jaxon Rowland, and Pryce Perry of Senatobia; and David Austin Perry, who is currently serving our country in Poland.
A service celebrating Ron’s homegoing will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, January 12, at Longview Point Baptist Church in Hernando, with visitation from noon until service time.
A graveside service will be held immediately after at Flag Lake Cemetery in Senatobia. Pallbearers will be Chris Fleming, Justin Griffin, Preston Griffin, Brooks Griffin, Pryce Perry, and Joe VanDyke. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Longview Point Baptist Church in Hernando.
Ray-Nowell Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
