Thomas Boland

BOLAND, Thomas E. "Tommy"

He was an inspirational leader and an extraordinary administrator who used his talents in the banking business, in service to his community, and in his church and denomination. He was frequently sought out for his wise counsel from people in all spheres of his life. The foundation of his life was his active and devoted Christian faith and care for others.

Tommy was born at home in Columbus, Georgia, and moved to Atlanta with his parents at a young age. He attended Emory University and ultimately earned a B.B.A. degree from Georgia State University, where he was later named the 1986 Distinguished Alumnus from Georgia State's J. Mack Robinson College of Business Administration. He served as President of the Georgia State Alumni Association and as a member and past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia State University Foundation.

In 1954, while still in college, he began working at The First National Bank of Atlanta. It was at the bank that he met Beth Ann, and they were married five years later. During this time, Tommy served in the United States Army at Fort Jackson, SC, in 1957 and following in the Army Reserves through 1968. He held the rank of First Lieutenant.

For 40 years, Tommy served in varying roles of increasing responsibility with First National, First Atlanta Corporation, Wachovia Bank, Wachovia Corporation and in the industry at large through the Robert Morris Associates, the national association of bank loan and credit officers. Tommy served as a national director and President, as well as various roles in metro Atlanta, southeastern and southern chapters. He also served on the Board of VISA USA, VISA International and various other corporate boards.

Following the merger with Wachovia Corporation in 1985, Tommy served as Vice Chairman, Chief Administrative Officer and Director, Wachovia Bank of GA, Executive Vice President of Wachovia Corporation overseeing consumer credit services, and at his retirement in 1994 held the positions of Chairman of the Board of Wachovia Corporation of Georgia and Wachovia Bank of Georgia, N.A.

Following his retirement, Tommy served as Special Counsel to two Presidents of Mercer University Macon and Atlanta. During his tenure he was influential in the establishment of the McAfee School of Theology. He served two terms on Mercer's Board of Trustees and as President of Mercer University's President's Club. He was a Trustee of Atlanta Baptist College which merged with Mercer in 1972.

Tommy was committed to community service and contributed through board membership for many local organizations. He served as president of the Board of the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. For his long-term contribution to the scouting tradition, he was presented with the Silver Eagle Award.

Tommy's remarkable church and denominational contributions were born of deep faith and offered with humility. He served as the Church Treasurer for the First Baptist Church of Chamblee, now the Johns Creek Baptist Church for 53 years. He was named Deacon Emeritus, having served many deacon terms and multiple chairmanships. Spanning 50 years, he was the Chair of multiple Building Committees in both Chamblee and Johns Creek. He quietly served as a trusted advisor to pastors and denominational executives.

Mr. Boland was beloved by many who attended Camp Rutledge, a church camp sponsored by First Baptist Church Chamblee and its successor, Johns Creek Baptist Church for more than four decades. He wrote the Camp Staffer's Manual and served as Camp Director for many years. The Camp Rutledge experience inspired future pastors, missionaries, dedicated church laity, businesspeople, and civic leaders who saw true Christian community modeled summer after summer.

Tommy invested his time and expertise in the establishment of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship having served as a founding Director and Director Emeritus of Baptists Today/Nurturing Faith, a founding member and Trustee of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Foundation, and as the Interim Executive Coordinator following the tenure of his cherished friend, Dr. Cecil Sherman. In years prior to this, he served as a Trustee and Treasurer of the Georgia Baptist Foundation.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford Edwin "Ed" Boland and Helen Robinson Boland; and his sister, Dorothy Susan Boland. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 66 years, Beth Ann Campbell Boland; his daughter, Susan Boland Butts (Don), Thomas "Edwin" Boland, Jr. (Tereasa); grandchildren, Samuel H. Butts, Sarah E. Boland and Thomas "Tommy" Edwin Boland III; brothers, Daniel W. Boland and Fred N. Boland.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Johns Creek Baptist Church on January 10, 2026, 2:00 PM. A reception to greet the family will follow in the Family Life Center. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Johns Creek Baptist Church Facilities Endowment Fund, The Thomas E. and Beth Ann Boland Endowed Scholarship Fund at McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University, or to The Thomas E. and Beth Ann Boland Endowed Scholarship at Candler School of Theology, Emory University.