Mary Emma Bolt Tollison
Laurens, South Carolina
Mary Emma Bolt Tollison, 93, of Laurens and wife of the late Billy Melton Tollison, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026, at her home.
Born on July 11, 1932, in Laurens, she was the daughter of the late Oscar Jesse Bolt, Sr. and Minnie Lee Pitts Bolt. Mary Emma, along with her husband, owned and operated Millcreek Farms for many years and was a member of Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church. She found immense joy in traveling with her husband, creating countless memories and always made sure to return home a different path than the one they took. Mary Emma enjoyed spending time talking on the telephone, especially to her sister, Dot, whom she considered “her partner in crime.” She loved puzzles, spending many hours doing word searches and piecing together jigsaw puzzles. She had a love for hummingbirds, but most of all, Mary Emma spent her life nurturing and leaving a legacy of love and caring for her family.
She is survived by her children, Sue Ross, Jeff Tollison (Rahma Ajja), Paul Tollison, Kenneth Tollison (Jackie), and Patrick Tollison (Teresa); grandchildren, Andy Ross (Julie), Scott Ross (Haley), Eleyas Tollison, Lauren Burkett (Charlie), Miranda Tollison (Herb Hinte), Jenna Tollison, Corey Tollison (Tammy), Casey Davis (Bradley), and Tabitha Smith (Lenear Spires); great grandchildren, Gracyn Ross, Nora Ross, Abbie Ross, Connor Ross, Izzy Ross, Ember Burkett, Rhyla Burkett, Darren Carrell III, William Hinte, Ryker Davis, Ivy Johnson, Brier Johnson, and Lennon Spires.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy Jones; brother, Oscar (Bub) Bolt, Jr.; and a son in law, William Ross.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at The Kennedy Mortuary Chapel conducted by Rev. Alex D. Henderson. The family will receive friends at the funeral home immediately following the service. A private family burial will be held at Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will be at the home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries, 810 Maxwell Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646 or online at www.conniemaxwell.com.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family at www.thekennedymortuary.com.
Kennedy Mortuary & Crematory
