Gaye Bolton

Gaye Bolton passed away Sunday, April 10, 2022. She was born in Akron, N.Y. in 1946 to Cleo Cain Sr. and Helen Garrison Cain.  

She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Billie Bolton.  She loved to tell the story of how they met.  As a child, Billie lived across the street and when Gaye would go outside to play ball, he would run her off the sidewalk with his bike.  It was destined.  She was also preceded by her son, Brian Bolton, and by siblings Richard (Morrie) Cain, Cleo (Junior) Cain, Alvin (Pat) Cain and Cherie Cain.  As the baby of 8 children, Gaye and her playmates, many of whom included a long list of cousins, nieces and nephews, trailed after Butch, Gail and Pat for some time.  Although nearly the same age, she never failed to remind them that she was their aunt and insisted on being called Aunt Gaye.   In 1976, Gaye's family moved across the country to Florida.  Although she moved to the South, some things would never change.  She maintained her lifelong friendship with her childhood playmate and valued friend, Dawn Cassidy, and she never sang "Dixie".   This was a point she and Billie would good-naturedly go back and forth on continually over the years.  

Gaye spent over 30 years working and teaching for the Okaloosa County School board.   She loved her time with the children she taught and loved watching them grow. There was no chance of ever going out without being recognized by a former student who couldn't wait to hug her neck and tell her how much she meant to them.  

Gaye is survived by her daughters, Tracy Boney and husband Bryan, and Kim Coles and husband Ray; brother, Butch Cain; sisters, Gail Cain and Audrey Potter; grandchildren, Ashley, Reagan, Colton, Ethan, Alyssa, Amber, Audrey, and Rachel; and great grandchildren, Sawyer and Brycin.

The family will have a small intimate service at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview.  Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com