Our History
Bolton Funeral Home’s history began in 1950 when Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. (Doris) Bolton, Sr. purchased Walton Funeral Home from Mr. Homer Walton, his former employer, who had owned the funeral home for many years. As was the case for many funeral homes in the early 1900s, Walton Funeral Home was adjacent to Walton’s Mercantile Store, where current day Main Street Florist and Scavangers (a local antique and gift shop) are located. The funeral home was located in the building that now houses the City Pool Hall. Mr. Walton bought the Lightcap House, a local dentist office, and converted it into the first freestanding funeral home facility in Columbiana. It was located about one block from the original location behind the old Shelby County Courthouse, which is now the Shelby County Museum.
Mr. & Mrs. Bolton were very involved in the community. Mr. Bolton served many years as Little League coach, Mayor of Columbiana, and Shelby County Coroner. They donated land to the city for the development of a Little League Baseball field, which was named Bolton Field. The field is still used today by the girls’ softball league.
Robert N. “Rob” Bolton, Jr. grew up in and around the funeral home and often refers to the “Hey Boy Days” when his father would say, “Hey Boy, come help” with this or that. In 1972, Rob joined his parents in the full time operation of the business. In 1978, Mr. Bolton turned over the management duties to his son.
In 1991, Mr. & Mrs. Bolton sold the business to Jeff Gamble due to Mr. Bolton’s failing health. Robert N. Bolton, Jr. remained to manage the funeral home for Jeff Gamble as well. In 1993 Mr. Gamble sold the business to Prime Succession, Inc due to health reasons.
In 2004, Letlow-Bolton, Inc purchased the funeral home and some nearby cemeteries (Pinelawn Gardens adjacent to funeral home, Shelby Memory in Calera, AL and Greenhill Memorial Gardens in Childersburg, AL) from Prime Succession.
On April 27, 2009 Bolton-Letlow Funeral Home was acquired by Columbiana Enterprises, LLC to continue the tradition set out by Mr.& Mrs. Robert (Doris) Bolton, Sr., with the name returning to Bolton Funeral Home.
In May 2016, Bolton Funeral Home was repurchased by Jeff Gamble and continues to be dedicated to this community and the surrounding area. We strive to help every family in need when a loss is experienced.
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Connie Denty, Funeral Director
Connie began working at Bolton Funeral Home in 1983. Connie is a 1968 graduate of Shelby County High School. In the early years her duties were mostly clerical. Connie received her Funeral Directors License in 1990. She is married to Steve Denty, has two daughters, Cathy (Jim) Walker and Christy (Dan) Buckner; two grandsons; Cade Burke and Ryder Buckner; and three grandchildren, Taylor, Aubree, and Emilee Roberson that adopted her as their Nona.
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Mark Harrison, Funeral Director
Mark Harrison earned his BS degree from the University of Montevallo. After working in the field of mental Health for 17 years, he became a Funeral Director in 2004. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Doris and their pets.
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Rob Bolton Jr.
Rob has been a full time employee of the funeral home since 1972 when he joined his parents in operating the funeral home. Rob’s parents, Bob and Doris Bolton, bought the funeral home from it’s present owner in 1950. Rob is a 1967 graduate of Shelby County High School and attended two years of college. Rob has three children: Holly Bolton, Meg Smith (Levi), and Robert Bolton (Amber); and five grandchildren.
