Marion Lee Boling

Marion Herington Boling, age 87, of Piney Flats, Tennessee, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Marion was born in Bristol, TN to the late Chester Herington and Bertha Deckard Herington.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers: Eugene Woods, Delmer Herington, Winston Herington and Chester Herington; sister, Juanita Jenkins.
Marion devoted her life to Jesus, being a faithful member of Lynn Valley Baptist Church, and to being a wife, mamma and granny. The family watched as she became a treasured part of many lives and the number of people who called her "Granny" grew year over year. Marion was a devoted housewife; however, she was so much more than that. She was also a pre-K teacher, raising both Heath Boling and Brandi Bullock while ensuring they were readers before they entered Kindergarten. Even after starting school, Marion still taught them many things, some explicitly, but mostly by being an example and including them in her everyday tasks. Marion was also an artist. She could play piano, guitar and sing. She sang in a gospel group, wrote a column under a pen name for a local paper and was always making something, whether it be a new faux floral arrangement, a crocheted doily, or a bigger project like Christmas lawn decorations that required help and talent from her husband, Cleatis. Undoubtedly their biggest artistic accomplishment together was their home. She drew the plans, and he built to her specifications. Marion was a researcher, taking care to understand the family genealogy, preserving stories from those who lived before them, and capturing moments in time on her tape recorder. Marion was a clerk, predominantly for the church, but also for her home, keeping careful records of bills paid, to be paid, their current budget and how they were saving for the future. Marion was all these things and more. Above all, she shared her love of Jesus by serving others. The impact she has made on the lives of many will be cherished for a lifetime.
Marion had sung in a quartet and played the guitar and piano for many years. She was a dedicated member of Lynn Valley Baptist Church for many years.
Those left to cherish the memory of Marion include her husband, W. Cleatis Boling of the home; two sons, Rick Boling and wife Kathy of Elizabethton and Jeff Boling and wife Shannon of Piney Flats; daughter, Hope Rader and husband Wayne of Blountville; four grandchildren: Justin Boling and wife Danielle, Brandi Bullock and husband Clayton, Austin Boling and wife Riley and Heath Boling; two great granddaughters, Madison and Isabella Boling; several nieces, nephews and other extended family members also survive.
A graveside service to honor and celebrate the life of Marion Herington Boling will be conducted at 2:30PM on Monday, March 3, 2025, in East Tennessee Cemetery with Rev. Tim Tapp and Dr. Kenneth Jordon officiating. Active Pallbearers will be Justin Boling, Austin Boling, Heath Boling, Jim Caldwell, Tim Boling and Allen Boling. Honorary pallbearers will be the congregation of Lynn Valley Baptist Church as well as Ricky Jenkins, Greg Boling, Brian Boling and Matt Ward. Those wishing to be a part of this service are asked to meet at the cemetery no later than 2:20PM on Monday.
Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers are asked to make donations in honor of Marion to the Lynn Valley Baptist Church missions fund at 1367 Broad St. Elizabethton, TN 37643.