Erma Louise (Bolden) Montez

I, Erma Louise Bolden Montez, was born September 22, 1942 in the Birch Creek Community of Sulphur Springs, Texas.  My loving parents were Odis George and Geraldine (Vaughn) Bolden, who are now both deceased.  

I attended Douglas Elementary School and was a member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist church under the leadership of the late, Pastor Gilmore. This was the community church home where I accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age.

My family moved to Houston, Texas in 1956 to reunite with family who had previously moved from Sulphur Springs. We settled in the Greater Heights community of Studewood. I graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School.  In 1965, I graduated from Massey College of Business.

On July 2, 1958 I united in Holy Matrimony with Mr. Philip Montez Jr.  We settled and raised our family in the northwest area of Houston which was known as Carverdale/Fairbanks Community. Our union birthed three children; Philippa, Kimberli and Christopher. In this marriage, I inherited the blessings of seven step-children and I raised Jonathan Craig and Gary Wayne.  Our church home was Greater New Hope Baptist Church under the Pastoral of the late, Herman L. Price, along with other family members who settled in Houston.  I was one of the church clerks for some years, I served as a deaconess, and also taught vocational bible class in the summer and Sunday School for over 31 years.

I later became a charter member of the Antioch Community Baptist Church under the Pastoral of the late, Sammie C. Morris. There I also taught Sunday School to the children and sang in the church choir for 10 years. More recent, in 2018, I united with Christ Fellowship under the pastoral of Edwin G. Deese. I remained there until GOD called me home on the wintery evening of February 15, 2021. I was a faithful tither and would tell all what a blessing it was to tithe unto the Lord.

Family was my passion, so in the late 1970’s, I was a charter founder of our Family Reunion by bringing together the Bolden-Burgess-Chambers-Stribling-Wheeler families.  Today these families are more connected than ever because of the reunions.   This family gathering brought many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends together for many, many years.  It was a great joy to everyone. I was employed with Child Protective Services from 1966 to 1997, and retired after 30 years of service. I was a dedicated and loyal Supervisor that helped my staff members do their best in securing the children case records. My career was furthered by working for The Texas House Representative, AI Green at Harris County courts,  where I was a court clerk for 8 years. After retirement, I worked as a property manager for Landlords for more than 14 years.  I was a licensed insurance agent with Primerica (formerly A.W. Williams) for over 25 years.

I worked in the food pantry for the homeless and gave regular pledges to March of Dimes, St. Jude’s Hospital for children, Feed the Hungry and Salvation Army. 

Anyone who knew me knew I loved to meet people and I never met a stranger. I lived my life with traditional values and morals that were instilled in me as a child by my grandparents. It brought great joy to me to speak of the yonder years spent on the farm growing up in Sulphur Springs, Texas. I was very business minded and applied much hard work. I was goal oriented and had self-determination. With that I made milestone accomplishments as a country girl with little education, to ensure my family would have a better life. I was “financially savvy”,  and I knew and understood the value of a dollar bill. I always taught my children about GOD from early ages as He was always the focus of my life. It is noted in the book of life records, that I spoke of GOD in my last words before I entered into eternal life. 

I fought a good fight and now I rest in peace in the arms of the most-high GOD until we meet again.  I was preceded in death by my her parents; one sister, Helen Bolden; and step-son, Perry Montez.

I leave my love and memories with: two beloved aunts, Magdalene Wright and TomElla Stribling both of Sulfur Springs, Texas; three beautiful sisters, Shirley Atwood (Hosie), Ognetia Polk (Ronald), and Brenda Pillard (Hilton) all of Houston, Texas; three natural children, Philippa Montez, Kimberli Montez Morris,  and Christopher Montez, all of Houston, Texas; step children, Sandra Allende (Pete), Philip Montez III, Sharon Montez, Reginald Montez, Gary Montez, all of California and Jonathan Craig Montez, of Houston, Texas; natural granddaughter, Christina Marie Montez; step grandchildren, Tamekia Thompson (Oscar), Anna Lea Montez, Rayshawn House (LaShonda), Yolanda Figgs (Reginald), Sabrina Ann Williams (Darian), Joshua Montez and Selita Montez; a natural great granddaughter, Christin Kennedy; several other step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; and an abundance of extended family all around the world.

Last but not least, I leave to cherish my memories my pet dog Toby, who misses me dearly.     

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