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1926
2016
DOUGLAS, Bolling F. Bolling Fortson Douglas passed away on August 3, 2016 at age 90 at Cannon Wood Village in Tiger GA. She was born on July 7, 1926 to a life on the water. Bolling was a remarkable woman, who lived her years to the fullest, accomplishing many firsts as a woman in the marine industry. Bolling grew up on the St John's River in Jacksonville FL. She married Allen H. Douglas in 1948. She bought the first family boat in 1955, and spent that summer in a mechanic's garage learning about engines so that she could maintain her own boats. Always fearlessly independent, as a young mother she sailed solo from Augusta to Savannah on an 8-foot dinghy that she and her husband built from a Sears Roebuck kit. She completed the weeklong journey equipped only with her sail, oars, and supplies. She later trained in celestial navigation and became a licensed boat captain. At age 50, Bolling also became a private airplane pilot. Moving to Atlanta in 1962, the family spent every available moment afloat on Lake Lanier. The family owned a Chinese junk that was a fixture on the lake in the 1960s and 1970s. Bolling spent her last years of independent living on Last Dance, her houseboat on Lake Lanier at University Yacht Club. Bolling accomplished much in the male dominated marine industry. She had her own marine survey business, and in 1975 was the first female accredited by the National Association of Marine Surveyors. She often served as an expert witness in court. As a member of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), Bolling influenced boat manufacturing by recommending stricter technical and safety standards. She served on the ABYC Technical Board and countless project technical committees, was a past Chair of the ABYC Board of Directors, a past Chair of the ABYC Foundation, the 1992 winner of the James Lippman Award, and the 1999 winner of the ABYC Bunzl Boating Safety Award. Bolling played an important role in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics sailing venue in Savannah as the senior marine safety expert. Unique to the event but no surprise to those who knew her, there were no marine accidents or personal injuries during those games. Bolling had a long and rewarding career as a volunteer in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. In 1979, she was the first female elected as district commodore, Seventh Coast Guard District Auxiliary. Shortly after she was elected district commodore, Bolling assisted with the deployment of Auxiliary personnel and assets in 'Operation Key Ring' as part of the 1980 Cuban Refugee Sealift. In 1978, Bolling and her crew were awarded the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Plaque of Merit for pulling a burning boat away from the University Yacht Club fuel dock and releasing it only minutes before it exploded. In 1984, Bolling became the first female Auxiliary Qualification Examiner. During more than two decades, she traveled throughout District Seven and successfully trained and qualified hundreds of boat crew and coxswain candidates. Taught by her father that "service was a proud journey", she exemplified that belief throughout her life. Bolling was the daughter of R. Adm. Robert M. Fortson, USN, Ret. and Nellie S. Phinizy. Her late husband, Allen Harrison Douglas, was an executive with Southern Railway in Atlanta. She is survived by: her son Allen H. Douglas (Lallie) and their children, Allen H. Douglas III (Samantha) and Elizabeth (Beth) Bolling D. Lilly (Abel); her daughter Anne D. Hartridge (Claude) and their children Anne Bolling (Abby) Hartridge (Mike Capito) and Caroline L. Hartridge (Elaine Danoff); and her son Malcolm B. Douglas (Debbie Schultz) and his children with Patsy R. Douglas, Julia Bolling Douglas and T. Harrison Douglas, and step children Geoffrey R. Rowson (Tyler) and Morgan O. Shaughnessy. Bolling's great grandchildren are Isabella L. Hartridge-Beam, Addison J. Lilly and Thallen J. Lilly. All of the above family and special friends were with her on July 15 to celebrate her birthday. Her surviving siblings are Cmdr R. Malcolm Fortson Jr. USN, Ret., Nellie F. Hull, and Janet F. Walthall Beaty. Predeceased siblings are Anne Wright F. Freeman and Capt. Thomas E. Fortson, USN, Ret. Memorial services will take place on Thursday, September 1 at 1:15 pm at Cannon Wood Village in Tiger GA; on Saturday, September 10 at 10:30 am at the University Yacht Club, Lake Lanier, Flowery Branch GA; and on Thursday, September 15 at 10:30 am at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville FL. A donation in memory of Bolling F. Douglas may be made to the American Boat and Yacht Council, 613 3rd Street, #10, Annapolis, MD 21403, or to the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance fund at 1005 N. Glebe Rd #220, Arlington VA 22201.
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A friend of mine sent me this obituary. I am hoping Mrs. Douglas´s children will read this and respond.
I am writing a book about the Marine Surveying profession, and have a chapter on women who entered this atypical career.
I would like to include Mrs. Douglas in the book, but want to have the family´s permission, and their input, if possible. She sounds like an extraordinary woma, who should be remembered in a book like this.
Please contact me at [email protected] or call me, 708-903-6289
Bob Ojala
Bob Ojala
August 18, 2021
Dear Douglas Family. I am happy to have known Aunt Bolling for as long as I did and in the way that I did. She was one of the most courageous, loving, God-loving woman that I was proud to call family. Although Tom and I are no longer together,I will always think of Aunt Bolling as family. We shared many long talks about life and love. She shard hours and hours of wisdom with me. I love her so much that Tom and I named our second child after Aunt Bolling (Hailey Bolling Fortson). I see much of Aunt Bolling in Hailey- even now as she grows in her teenage years. I keep a picture of Aunt Bolling along with Kimberly and Hailey (taken at Cara's wedding)on a shelf in my wall unit to this day. Seeing it always makes me smile. Godspeed to all of you. I love you Aunt Bolling. Forever in my heart, Francine, Kimberly, and Hailey Bolling Fortson
Francine Fortson
September 11, 2016
Godspeed to all of you. I love Aunt Bolling so much that my daughter Hailey's middle name is Bolling. I know that between Tom, Anne Wright and now Bolling that heaven is a safer and well run place.Love and misses to all Fran, Kimberly, and Hailey Bolling Fortson
Fortson `Family
September 11, 2016
Francine Fortson
September 11, 2016
To Allen, Jr. Ann and Malcolm, our thoughts and
prayers are with all of you at this sad time in your lives. We, too, are so saddened - Boiling is the last of Mom and Dad's friends to
pass on - I bet they're having a good time in
heaven. Our fondest memories was a trip toWashington on the Southern Railway (U.S.
Chamber Annual meeting; the gift of the dingey
to Ed which he fiberglassed and named Swank,
which was later donated to Boy Scout Troop 39,in Cumming; and the many excursions on the
Chinese Junk. Momories are a real blessing!Love, Jeanie Cates Siggelkow, Rod, Ed and Bill Siggelkow
jeanie Cates Siggelkow
August 15, 2016
No dought mrs. Douglas. Was a very interesting person. Im deeply sorry for her lost. In gods word in mathews 5:4 you will find comfort and love.
August 14, 2016
May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. My sincerest condolences. Psalms 116:15.
S W
August 14, 2016
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