Deloris Lee Boltinghouse

On November 11, 2025, Deloris Lee Boltinghouse entered the presence of the Lord, her Savior. Deloris was born on September 23, 1946, in North Haven, Connecticut. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Virginia, and went on to build a distinguished career in hospital administration, which led her to Ocala, Florida, in 1973. She was a member of the founding administration team at Ocala Regional Hospital and later served in leadership roles at both Ocala Regional and Leesburg Regional hospitals.

Deloris had an extraordinary gift for cooking, hospitality, and bringing people together. She was known for preparing incredible meals for friends and family, and her home and kitchen were places of warmth, generosity, and genuine connection. Deloris had a way of making everyone feel welcome, whether you were a lifelong friend or visiting for the first time, and she created gatherings that were filled with laughter, comfort, and community. While her Christmas cookies and holiday breads became cherished traditions everyone looked forward to, they were only a small part of her talents, Deloris was an exceptional cook and an exceptional host in every season.

Deloris was deeply devoted to God and lived her faith with sincerity, gratitude, and love. Her relationship with the Lord shaped every part of her life, guiding the way she cared for others and how she moved through the world with kindness, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the goodness around her. She loved people wholeheartedly and without reservation, extending encouragement, comfort, and support to everyone she encountered. Her church family at Ocala First Baptist Church was especially dear to her, and she shared both her gifts and her joyful spirit there, including her beloved presence in the kitchen.

She also had a great love of travel, especially cruising. Whether exploring new places or enjoying the peaceful rhythm of the ocean, Deloris found joy, adventure, and connection in every journey. Travel was one of the many ways she celebrated life, embraced the world, and created cherished memories with the people she loved.

Deloris was preceded in death by her father, William E. Padgett Sr.; her mother, Leila F. Smith; her bonus father, James Smith; and her husband, Jon Boltinghouse.

She is survived by her loving partner, David F. Lane; her son, James S. Childress (Dawn); her grandchildren, Blake Childress (Dawn), Brooke Jones (Buck), and Julia Roberts (Dylan); six great-grandchildren, including her beloved Jase Roberts; her brother, William E. Padgett Jr.; and her niece, Amy E. Padgett (Brett).

A memorial service will be held at Ocala First Baptist Church on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., followed by inurnment at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ocala First Baptist Church in memory of Deloris L. Boltinghouse. https://www.fbcocala.org/give