Dr. Eddie Bolden

Eddie Bolden was born in Meridian Mississippi on June 11, 1924 to the union of his parents John and Ada Lee Bolden.

Eddie received Christ at an early age uniting with a local church. In 1941, he married Mary Ann Clark. Later he joined the United States Army and was deployed to Japan during World War II,  he served honorably from January 25, 1943 to January 16, 1946. After his discharge he returned home to Pasadena, Ca where he stayed for a short time before relocating to Modesto.

 Reverend Dr. Eddie Bolden was called into the ministry and began preaching in 1953. Under the leadership of the late Rev. Howard L Clark, Dr. Bolden received his license to preach The Gospel and became active in the ministry of the church.

Beginning in 1958, Rev. Bolden served in the Rock West Baptist Church under the late Rev. E. Sallie. He served for 51/2 years before returning to Modesto. In 1962, under God‘s guidance, Pastor Bolden along with 10 others, organized Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church. With the help of The Lord, the church was incorporated in 1964, and in 12 years, the building was paid in full!

Pastor Bolden attended the Conroe Normal & Industrial College of Stockton / Sacramento, under the tutelage of Dr. A. Paul Jones; First Baptist Church Benson College of Modesto under Rev. Dr. Graves, Modesto Junior College, and St. John Seminary and Bible College where he received his honorary Doctorate of Theology degree.

 Among the many awards Rev. Bolden has received are: Certificates of Recognition and Appreciation for Distinguished Service-public Education in Stanislaus County in July 1983, awarded by Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools; Certificate of Achievement Award of Distinction for superior achievement; the Crystal-Clear Award for Outstanding Community Service-Presented by Staff Of Life in 2011, and numerous other awards.

A man of integrity, God blessed Dr. Bolden with the vision to help bring about positive change in the lives of all people, regardless of race, creed, national origin, or religion. His mission was: “To reach the loss, the least, the left-out, the lonely, and YOU”. Rev. Bolden was a man about the business of serving God by serving people.

Rev. Bolden passed away on November 03, 2021 he was preceded in death by his wife of 75 years Mary Ann Bolden, daughters, Elaine Bolden and Dwayna Bolden,   granddaughter, Danielle Parker Bolden, grandson, Sean Parker Bolden and niece, Annette Hearst Clark.

He leaves to cherish his memories his sister, Laura Ann Bolden, nieces, Shirley Ann Clark, Felicia Hall Thompson, nephews, Kenny Bolden, Albert Bolden and Ronald Thompson, Granddaughters, Rachel Sinner and Jada Parker, 13 great grandchildren, And a host of other nieces, nephews and other family and friends.  Rev. Bolden will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

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