Jane Moore Bolen

Jane Moore Bolen passed away peacefully on 2/12/2022 at NHC of Greenwood after an extended
illness. She was born on 3/17/28 in Montgomery, Pakistan, formerly in the Punjab province of
British India, to missionary parents Ralph Erskine Moore, Sr., & Ida (Saville) Moore. After
returning to the States at the age of 4, she was raised in Virginia, graduating from E. C. Glass
High School in Lynchburg. She then attended Erskine College in Due West, SC where she
received her AB in 1948 in chemistry, minoring in music. She furthered her education at
Converse College in Spartanburg, SC where she received a Master of Music in
Theory/Composition in l970. In l974, she received her Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology from
Florida State University, as a recipient of a Delta Kappa Gamma award.
In addition, she was Certified in Arts Management from Harvard University.
Jane began her career teaching general science and physics in the public schools in Abbeville SC
from l948-l949. Her love of music then led her to become a private piano teacher in Abbeville,
then later in Greenwood . In l974 she founded and directed the Greenwood Junior Conservatory
of Music where she continued her passion for teaching piano that spanned almost 70 years.
Many of her Jr. Conservatory piano students achieved distinction in local and state piano
competitions. In addition, she also taught at Lander University.
Dr. Bolen served as choir director and organist at Greenwood ARP Church as well as choir
director at Greenwood First Baptist Church. She was active in the community theater in
Abbeville and Greenwood, and served as Executive director of Greenwood Council of Arts from
l977-79.
Dr. Bolen was a member of Greenwood Music Teachers Association, Greenwood Organists
Guild, American Guild of Organists (Greenwood dean 1990-1992), Delta Kappa Gamma, Phi
Kappa Lambda, and Delta Omicron.
She was an active member in the Charles Colson Prison Ministry at Leath Correctional
Institution in Greenwood.
Jane was blessed with a long and very full life. In addition to spending time with her family, she
enjoyed travel, genealogical research, gourmet cooking, gardening, french hand sewing, and
smocking, to name a few. She enjoyed bagpipe study and served as music historian for the The
Clan Leslie Society International. “ Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might”
was a family motto that applied to her life in many areas!
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Ralph Erskine Moore, Jr, MD
of Florence, SC. She is survived by daughters Dr. Nancy Jane Ellis of Kenmore, WA and Dwane
Ellis Bolen of Dacula, GA, sister Mary Alice Moore Mitchell of Rock Hill, SC. Grandchildren
Anna Bolen Abernathy (Stephen) Buford GA, Taggart Bolen (Maria) Franklin TN, Austin Bolen
Dacula, GA, Melanie Bolen Dacula, GA. Great Grandchildren Tripp & Addison Bolen, Lilly,
Garrett, Victor Abernathy, and Leo Bolen.
The date and time for a Celebration of Life service have yet to be determined.
Tributes of remembrance may be gifted to The Alzheimer’s Association.