When Marsha Boles walked into the office of the Water Division of Plant City on Sept. 29, 1986, she forever changed the course of history for the town.
Though there was no rule in place prohibiting women from serving in the Utilities
Department, Boles was the first woman to ever take a job in the Water Division. With a humble attitude, jovial spirit and a work ethic that outmatched her peers, she soon became one of the most valued employees on the team.
“When she first started with me she really proved herself immediately,” said Johnny Felker, who at the time was the meter foreman and hired Boles onto his team. “She worked with all of us guys. If we were loading 70 pounds of concrete meter blocks, she’d jump right in and load as many as we would. She’d go out and change as many water meters every day as any guy there.”
Though the work was often grueling and the hours long, Boles became known for her practical jokes and jesting attitude. Felker said through all the years he worked with Boles, he never once saw her upset over anything.
The only thing on par with her affable nature was her drive. If she was going to do the work, she would do it to the best of her ability. Soon after joining the Water Division she seized the opportunity to become a licensed Water Treatment Operator.
In 1993 the tables turned again. The Water and Wastewater divisions merged into one unit, causing many in her division to “abandon ship.” Boles began working with Mark Nunes, and he said she essentially acted as a pioneer for the field.
“Even now in the Water and Wastewater side, we’re starting to see more females,” Nunes said. “Marsha was always so jovial. She was very friendly, willing to train anyone she came in contact with and show them what needs to be done and so forth. She was very outgoing.”
It wasn’t long after the merger that Boles became a licensed Wastewater Treatment Operator. Refusing to slow down, she obtained licensing after licensing and eventually achieved the highest level of licensing available, becoming a Dual Licensed Class “A” Operator in both Water and Wastewater.
Boles officially retired last month and the hole she left, her coworkers said, will never be filled. Her knowledge was immense and her coworkers said they often argue over what they miss more, her immense experience or her love of “horsing around.” Zoe Chaiser trained under Boles and said she learned more lessons from her than she’ll ever be able to count.
“My work life always included her, so it’s weird now not to have her,” Chaiser said.
When Boles switched to night shifts Nunes took her day shift. He quickly realized he had a hefty task ahead.
“I would show up and there were lots of people who wondered where Marsha was,” Nunes said. “She was just so kind and would take the time to talk with everyone. I could never fill those shoes.”
Many of her coworkers continue to keep in touch with Boles, who Nunes said is currently working on a butterfly garden at home. After dedicating her life to serving the city she loves, Nunes said they will all do their best to carry on her legacy.
She’s missed, but her lessons are far from forgotten.
“She’s just an all around good person,” Felker said. “That’s just the way to capitalize it.”