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Vallie Frances “Val” Bolmes

JACKSON – Vallie Frances “Val” Bolmes, 83, died following a long, courageous battle with cancer.

During this time, as throughout her entire life, her love for the Lord and indomitable radiance never wavered. Her spirit lives on in all the lives she touched.

She was born July 21, 1924, in Calvert, Ala., to Herman General Lowery and Vallie Frances Webb Lowery.

She was a graduate of the New Orleans Charity Hospital School of Nursing where she received her registered nursing diploma. She served as a cadet nurse in the U.S. Army Nurse Corp in Longview, Texas. during World War II. She continued her nursing career at St. Joseph Hospital in Milwaukee, Wis., where she was a part of the first group of nurses trained in the special care of premature infants. She later went on to serve for 17 years as the coordinating nurse for the Warren County Public Health Department in Vicksburg until her retirement in 1989. She had been a resident of Jackson since 2001.

First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg was very much a part of Val’s life of service to others, where she was an elder, a deacon, a member of the choir and was actively involved in the older adult ministry and Meals on Wheels programs. She became a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church after moving to Jackson, thus continuing her service to the Lord and her fellow man.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ray Bolmes; her brother, Herman Lowery; and three sisters, Mary Lucus, Barbara Chatfield and Ida Cameron.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Lynn Bolmes McGarrah of Lakeland, Fla.; her son, John Bolmes of Terry; three sisters, Miriam Martin of West Point, Jean Small of Tyler, Texas, and Lois Leigh of Jackson; two granddaughters, Katie Garretson and Julie Garretson, both of Lakeland, Fla.; and a special friend, Ellis Pickett of Madison, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at Ward Hall in First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg.

Services will be at at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS 39213 or French Camp Academy, 1 Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745.