Rev. Paul Edgar Boles, age 71 of Murfreesboro, TN, went to be with his beloved Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
He was a native of Hartwell, GA, and was the son of the late Hugh Dorsey Boles and Avis Bailey Boles.
Rev. Boles is survived by his loving wife of 51 ½ years, Miriam Stovall Boles; sons, Paul Boles and his wife Jackie of Pulaski, TN and Jonathan Boles and his wife Melanie of Murfreesboro, TN; grandchildren, Madelyn “Mattie” Boles of Nashville, TN and Tucker Boles of Huntsville, AL; and a brother, Leslie Boles and his wife Jan of Lavonia, GA.
Rev. Boles was the Pastor of Living Springs Baptist Church. He was just a few months shy of having served 50 years in the ministry. He was ordained in 1974 at his home church of Oak Bower Baptist in Hartwell, GA where he was called to serve as the Director of Youth and Evangelism at Morgan Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville, SC. During this time, he earned his BA from Furman University. In 1982, he felt led to further his education and attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he attained his MA in Divinity.
During his studies, he pastored Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Franklinton, NC. After completion of studies, Rev. Boles accepted the call to serve as the pastor of Carswell Baptist Church in Iva, SC. In the summer of 1987, he again accepted the call to serve as the pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Pauline, SC. He served there until the fall of 1995, when he was called again to faithfully fulfill the role of pastor at Victor Baptist Church in Greer, SC.
In 2001, he was called into a role that used his previous pastoral experience to guide one of the nation’s oldest Southern Baptist Associations. He became the Executive Director of Missions for the Charleston Baptist Association. In this role, he was pivotal in guiding and supporting pastors and church staff across the association, further amplifying his pastoral reach and impact. He was the pastor of the pastors. He continued in this position until God called him to serve as the pastor of Living Springs Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, TN in 2015, where he continued to serve until, he was called to his eternal Home. Rev. Boles loved his family, but he also loved his church families.
Ultimately, Rev. Boles’ life’s calling and purpose was to serve others and to lead them to the Saving Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. His favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4:13: “For I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” This was not only his favorite verse, but also his testimony. He was an ordinary man that God used to do extraordinary things for His glory leading countless lives to Christ.
Rev. Boles was cherished deeply not only as a loving husband, but also as a devoted father to his two sons. Even with much of his time dedicated to supporting his church family, he was always there as a steadfast rock in his son’s lives providing a true representation of how a Godly father should bring up his children.
As his sons became men themselves, he was always willing to extend a helping hand, with guidance grounded in faith and a true friendship that only a father could provide. This endless display of love continued as he became “Pops” with the arrival of his granddaughter and grandson who were a source of pride and joy in his life. His unwavering love and support extended far beyond his family, touching the lives of countless others who found in him a father figure and model of a true servant of the Lord.
His kindness and mentorship will be remembered by all who had the privilege to know him as a testament to his faith and commitment to embodying Christ’s love in every interaction. He truly gave everything he had to everyone around him. As a man with a servant’s heart who never met a stranger, Rev. Boles selflessly dedicated his life to service, leaving behind a legacy of love and faith that will endure for generations.
Visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, May 11th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Living Springs Baptist Church, Mt. Juliet, TN. The Celebration of Life service will also be held at the church immediately following the visitation at 11:00 AM with Dr. Wes Rankin officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Living Springs Baptist Church Campaign Fund for the church’s new digital sign.
An online guestbook for the Boles family is available at www.woodfinchapel.com. Woodfin Memorial Chapel. (615) 893-5151.
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