Erin Curry & Phil Boatwright

A Hope humorist Martha Bolton was a staff comedy writer for Bob Hope for more than 15 years. With Hope's death at age 100 July 27, Bolton recalled the comedian to be a privately religious man. Photo courtesy of www.churchmusicals.com.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Bob Hope died July 27 at the age of 100, and millions of people worldwide have been remembering him as a legendary comedian, a Hollywood star, an avid supporter of the American military and simply a great man.
      But Martha Bolton, who was a staff comedy writer for Hope for more than 15 years, said there was an element of faith in Hope's life.
      "He was a very religious man but privately religious," Bolton told Baptist Press. "He had a definite respect [for spiritual things], and God held a special place in his heart."
      Bolton, who now lives just outside Nashville, Tenn., began writing comedy as a church secretary.