Georgia Bell Boatright

Georgia Bell “Ms. Wonderful” Boatright was born on September 3, 1944, in Elberton, Georgia to the late Mrs. Georgia Bell Hester Jones and the late Rev. Thomas Jones, Jr. She was the youngest of 8 children. She entered the presence of the Lord on January 16, 2025. 

She accepted Christ at an early age as a member of Cades Chapel Baptist Church in Elberton, Georgia. She was a faithful servant of the Lord even when she moved to Champaign, Illinois and became a member of Greater Holy Temple in Urbana, Illinois. Her final membership resided at PowerHouse Church of God in Christ. She was a member of PowerHouse for 29 years. She was an active member on the hospitality committee and the President of the Birthday Club. She was also an usher at the front door of the church for 20 years. She was the first face you see when you enter the building and play the tambourine. PowerHouse was very grateful and honored of her faithfulness and gave her the name “Mother Faithful.” 

After receiving her high school diploma at Blackwell Memorial High School in Elberton, Georgia, she entered the workforce. She worked at Kmart as a cook, Jackson’s Restaurant as a cashier, Holiday Inn as a cook, and a daycare provider in her own home. After working tirelessly for many years, she retired and took care of her children. 

She enjoyed many hobbies and giving back to the community and the church. She enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, baking, traveling, talking on the phone, and watching soap operas and game shows. She was deeply rooted into her family connection and her love for her family held a special place in her heart. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Georgia Bell Hester Jones, and Rev. Thomas Jones, Jr., 4 brothers, Casey Jones, John L. Jones, Governor Jones, Sr, and Arthur Jones, Sr. and 1 sister Annie Mary Jones Allen. 

Georgia Bell Boatright leaves behind 8 children: Glenn Boatright in Rantoul, Illinois, Terry Boatright in Champaign, Illinois, Tasheena Boatright in Champaign, Illinois, Darryl Boatright (Parisha) in Urbana, Illinois, Regina Swan (Kurt) in Fort Myers, Florida, Otis Boatright in Champaign, Illinois, Stephen Boatright in Savannah, Georgia, and Stevonia Boatright (Mitchell) in Champaign, Illinois; 4 god children: Rebecca Crabtree, Denise Harris, Angela Bell, and Damieon Shaw; a sister: Barbara Thomas in Urbana, Illinois; 3 brothers: Ted Jones Sr, in Decatur, Georgia, Arnold Jones in Elberton, Georgia, and Bishop Verdell Jones, Sr. in Kentucky; 24 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, and church family to cherish her loving memory.

A celebration of life will commence at 12:00 Noon January 25, 2025 at Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ 1419 W. Dublin St. Urbana 61801. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am until the time of the service. Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Georgia Bell Boatright, please visit our floral store.