Roger Dean Boles

January 3, 1943 – May 26, 2021

Roger Dean Boles, 78, was greeted at the gates of Heaven by his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Roger was born in Forsyth County to the late Hermon Lee Boles and Clara Parker Boles on January 3, 1943. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Gene Boles and Donald Lee Boles; and father-in-law, Rev. Jack Foley.

Teaching and leading the math department at Lenoir Community College for thirty-five years, Roger poured himself into others as he passionately taught and cared for the many pupils that entered his doors. Working alongside his wife, Sonda, Roger used his talents in woodworking to supply their family business with many fine works of art. Never one to allow grass to grow under his feet, he also did the cutting work for three other craftsmen in the area.

Always active in his church, Kinston First Pentecostal Holiness, Roger served his Lord through several ministries including the church choir, Men’s ministries, and serving as Sunday School teacher and superintendent. Many in town and the surrounding area looked forward to the church’s annual peanut butter Easter Egg sale which he and Sonda headed up for over 30 years, sometimes making as many as 6,500 eggs each year.

Mowing the grass, tending to his vegetable garden, or spending time doing almost anything outdoors brought much satisfaction to Roger. An avid golfer, Roger loved spending his free time on the greens at Falling Creek Country Club. One of the charter members of the club, he played alongside countless friends and spent many enjoyable hours perfecting his game.

Spending time with his family was likely Roger’s greatest pastime. With a love of travel, he and Sonda spent many weeks traveling each year, frequenting their two favorite places: Sevierville, TN and Myrtle Beach, SC. He loved being known as Sonda’s chief chauffeur, but to Sonda, he was her whole life.

A trip early in their marriage sparked something in Roger which helped him share his faith more readily. Traveling through the mountains, the family was involved in a wreck that could have easily ended each of their lives. Seeing God’s hand in several aspects of their deliverance, Roger and Sonda accepted many speaking engagements sharing the story they titled, “The Miracle of Amy.” As a publication, more than 45,000 copies have been distributed, and many have experienced the love of Jesus through the testimony shared by Roger and Sonda. Giving all credit and glory to God, Roger stated that “the Lord opened a door in every class he taught to share the miracle of Amy.” With faith that could move mountains, there’s no doubt that Roger has now heard his Lord say unto him, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

Many titles could be offered that encapsulate Roger’s life: Friend, Provider, Mentor, Brother, Papa, Father, Husband, and most importantly, Child of God.

A service of love and remembrance will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Kinston First Pentecostal Holiness Church with Pastor Brian Rogers officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 - 12:45. Interment will follow in Pinelawn Memorial Park, Kinston.

Left to cherish Roger’s memory are his wife, Sonda Boles; children, Chad Boles and wife, Audrey, and Amy Boles Williams and husband, Jeff; grandchildren, Jackson and Kaleb; sister, Millie Wright and husband, Les; sister-in-law, Martie Boles; nieces, Sheri Whitehouse, Julie Boles, and Gina Tuttle and husband, Harold; and his mother-in-law who loved him as her own, Angie Foley.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions in Roger’s memory may be given to Kinston First Pentecostal Holiness Church, 711 Phillips Road, Kinston, NC 28504. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.