‘’’Iola Lucille Boylen’’’, played by actress-director Beverly Archer, is the across the street neighbor and best friend of Thelma Harper in the syndicated version of "Mama's Family". Iola was created as a replacement for Aunt Fran, who dies from asphyxiation due to a toothpick dislodged in her throat.
Much like Fran, Iola is a spinster. She lives in a home across the street from the Harper's with her elderly father and mother. While Iola’s parents are never shown on the series, she often talks about them. Iola’s father is apparently a typical retired old man who is somewhat henpecked by Iola’s mother. Iola often talks about her mother who is controlling and mostly home bound due to being morbidly obese. Iola has one brother, Vern, who is also never seen. In the episode “Bubba’s Double Date”, Vern’s daughter (and Iola’s niece) Vernette appears as Bubba’s eventual date to the prom.
Iola has no children, has never married and rarely dates. She has a long, unrequited crush on Vinton and disapproves of his marriage to Naomi with who she has a contentious relationship. Iola frequently fawns over Vinton who remains oblivious to her feelings and intentions. On a few occasions, Iola tries to steal Vinton away from Naomi as seen in The Love Letter when she reads a love note and assumes it was written by Vinton. After Naomi becomes pregnant at the end of Season 5, Iola’s crush on Vinton apparently abates.
Iola is notorious for her “handicrafts” made from common objects like dryer lint which she foists on people, especially the Harpers. Iola’s creations are usually considered tacky and needless; she routinely gives the Harpers gifts such as a “toilet paper cozy” or knitted napkin cozy. In the episode “Gift Horse”, the Harpers decide to hold a garage sale to buy a new VCR. As Iola is out of town, they decide to try to sell Iola’s handicrafts but fail to find any buyers. After returning home early, Iola discovers what is going on and is deeply hurt. However, after Thelma apologizes, Iola accepts and presents the Harpers with a VCR for which she has made a VCR cozy.
Much like Thelma, Iola is somewhat religious and never partakes in drinking, but she was seen eating Aunt Effie's rumballs. Iola also has to see a therapist which will sometimes lead to repressed anger as seen in Soup to Nuts which causes her to let out a blood-curdling scream. Iola is a member of the Church Ladies League. At one point she was nominated to be the new president of the CLL by Alberta Meechum, which pitted her against Mama. Both lost the election and apologized to each other for the way they behaved. Iola is also shown to get along real well with Bubba, and at times he has helped her out in some situations like looking for her mother when she thought she was lost.