Celebrating the Life of
Verdell Helen Cain Bolden

Verdell Helen Cain Bolden was born on November 15, 1945, in Pamplico, South Carolina, to the late Olivia and James Cain, Sr. She was the eldest of six children and was raised in a loving home grounded in faith.

At an early age, Verdell accepted Christ as her Savior and Lord and united with Spring Branch Baptist Church in Pamplico, South Carolina. After relocating to Florida, she became a faithful and devoted member of St. John First Missionary Baptist Church in Belle Glade.

In 1968, Verdell was united in holy matrimony to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Lonnie Bolden. Together, they shared 46 years of marriage and built a life rooted in love, faith, family, and service. Their union was blessed with three daughters: Tonya, Lonette, and Jennifer.

A Time to Learn and Teach

Verdell received her early education at Gibbs Elementary School and graduated from Gibbs High School in May 1964. She continued her academic journey at Allen University, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in May 1968. She later earned a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Northern Colorado in August 1978.

Verdell dedicated her life to education and service. She was certified in Elementary Education and ESOL. Her teaching journey began with a teacher internship at Pineview Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina. She later devoted more than 33 years of service to the Palm Beach County School District as an educator in the Glades, teaching at Lake Shore Elementary School in Belle Glade from 1968 to 1971, South Bay Elementary School from 1971 to 1973, and Rosenwald Elementary School from 1973 until her retirement in 2001.

In addition to teaching, Verdell remained actively involved in school life. She served as Academic Games Coach, Fourth Grade Chairperson, Safety Patrol Sponsor, Peer Coach for beginning teachers, Spelling Bee Sponsor, and After-School Tutoring Chairperson for Florida Writes. After retirement, she briefly served as a part-time Catapult teacher at Miracle by Faith Community School in South Bay, continuing her commitment to helping children learn and grow. Through each role, she encouraged students, supported fellow educators, and poured into the next generation.

A Time to Worship

Her service was anchored in her faith. At St. John First Missionary Baptist Church, she served in many capacities, including Youth Ministry Director, Children's Choir Director, Senior Choir member, Sunday School Teacher, Senior Women's Ministry President, and Financial Secretary. She also served as Director of the Children's Department for more than 15 years.  In addition, she enjoyed serving through the church's food and clothing pantry outreach ministry, helping meet the needs of families in the community.

At the district level, Verdell served as Assistant Children's Director. More recently, she served as Senior Women's Ministry President of the Greater South Florida District Baptist Association and looked forward to organizing the Education Rally. She was also a founding member of the Annual Women's Conference, helping create a space for women to gather in faith, fellowship, and service.

At the state level, she served as Parliamentarian and Third Vice President of the Senior Women's Ministry of the Progressive Missionary and Educational Baptist State Conference of Florida, Inc. She faithfully attended conventions and conferences, and she especially looked forward to 1000 Women in White and attending Donation Day at Florida Memorial University.

Her dedication to ministry reflected her faith, commitment, and heart for serving others.

A Time for Sisterhood and Community

Verdell was committed to sisterhood, service, and community. In December 1981, she joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, where she served in several roles, including Corresponding Secretary, Historian, Journalist/Reporter, Parliamentarian, Chairperson of Special Projects, Executive Board Member for the Glades Festival of Afro Arts, and Parade Chairperson.

Her service extended throughout the community. She was a member of the Classroom Teachers Association and the Florida Retired Educators Association and remained active in community efforts, including the annual Nehemiah Action Assembly hosted by People Engaged in Active Community Efforts (PEACE). Following retirement, she continued serving as a poll worker during election seasons and looked forward to judging the Dr. Esther E. Berry Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Contest at Rosenwald Elementary School in South Bay, Florida.

Through each role, Verdell's commitment to service reflected what mattered most to her: faith, community, and pouring into the next generation.

A Time with Family

Verdell loved her family deeply. Her children's friends quickly became family too, affectionately calling her "Mama Bolden," and she loved them all the same.

She enjoyed staying connected with the people she loved, whether traveling to South Carolina to visit family and friends, going on cruises with friends, or talking with anyone she met along the way. Verdell was warm, wonderfully talkative, and never met a stranger. She could carry on a conversation with anyone—or even with herself. All she needed was someone to start the conversation, and she could take it from there. She would often say, "in other words," as she made her point in true Verdell fashion. As her grandson Lonnie once said, "Granny brings a different kind of noise." To those who loved her, that "noise" was the sound of her joy, her faith, her stories, her opinions, her laughter, and the unmistakable presence that made Verdell who she was.

That same warmth showed up in the way she brought people together. Verdell was organized and intentional in the way she cared for others. She often invited family and friends to church events and loved hosting family gatherings, especially after Sunday service and programs at church, including the annual Pew Rally. She looked forward to Easter dinners, watching the children dye eggs, and making memories through the infamous egg hunts. She loved lighting fireworks during the holidays, bringing joy, excitement, and just enough suspense to keep the family watching with loving concern as she got older. Verdell also enjoyed learning from the younger generation. When learning something new, such as using her cell phone or tablet, she often asked her grandchildren and honorary children for lessons and took detailed notes along the way, sometimes even including pictures to help her remember each step. Her presence made simple moments feel special, and her love created memories that will be cherished for years to come.

A Time to Rest

After a brief illness, Verdell answered God's call and transitioned from this earthly life to eternal rest. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Bolden; her parents, Olivia and James Cain, Sr.; her brothers, Robert Cain and James Cain, Jr.; and her sister, Nora Faye McKissick.

A Time to Cherish

Verdell leaves to cherish her memory: her daughters, Tonya (Nataniel) Kyles, Lonette (Rovone) Smith, and Jennifer (Jarrett) Bush; like-a-son, Henry Parker; grandchildren, Lonnie and Alyssa Smith, Krityreon Kyles, and Langston Bush; sister, Myrtis Cain; brother, Odell (Jackie) Cain; brothers-in-law, Thomas McKissick and Troy Taylor; sister-in-law, Willie Mae Bell; close friends, Anna Littles, Lenell Martin, Sarah Spencer, and Mary Wright; her beloved honorary daughters, who stood faithfully with her and the family through her final days; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.