Thelma Leona Tolbert

Thelma Leona Tolbert, 88, of Beckley, passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2014 at home surrounded by her family. She was born on a Sunday afternoon on September 26, 1926 on Salem-Gatewood Rd. in Oak Hill. Thelma was the daughter of the late Henry Logan and Lovie Goode Tincher. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert Nathan and Harold Tincher and her beloved husband, Russell Gail Tolbert who passed away in 1985.
Thelma grew up in Fayette and Raleigh counties and had many stories to tell of the Great Depression and WWII years. She had many fond memories of spending time at her grandparents farm in Crab Orchard. Her great-grandparents, Peter and Elizabeth Snuffer, had settled there in 1855. Thelma had a lifelong love of gardening. Her father had taught her to plant vegetables and her mother passed on her love of flowers. Thelma was well known for her beautiful flower gardens. She loved photography and always had her camera on hand to take pictures of family and friends. She loved to travel in her beloved state of West Virginia taking many pictures along the way. Thelma loved her camp in the Allegheny Mountains and spent many hours there collecting natures treasures on her walks. She often said she loved to hear a train whistle blow, a rooster crow and the peepers in spring. She always looked forward to spring and the return of the robins Thelma was a member of the Oak Grove Christian Church for over 60 years and past member of Fayette and Raleigh County Genealogy Societies. She loved church and family history. Thelma always looked forward to spring and the return of the robins.
Thelma is survived by her daughters, Shelia (Terry) Weese of Beckley and Cindy (Bill) Legg of Grandview; grandchildren, Stephen (Michelle) Loving, Anisha Brock, Ala Weese, Jordan (Elizabeth) Legg and Jonathan (Caitlin) Legg; great grandchildren, Chase Loving, Kristian Loving, River Brock and Emma Legg; niece, Brenda Keenan of Oak Hill and nephew, David (Della) Tincher of Tampa, FL and many other nieces and nephews; care giver and friend, Kay Alderman; Sister-in-laws, Marion Tolbert and Jewell Zutaut and special lifelong friend, Nellie Tolbert.
Funeral services will be 4 pm Sunday, February 22, 2015 in the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel with her grandson Minister Jordan Legg officiating. Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Christian Church Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family 2 hours prior to the service on Sunday at the funeral home.
Grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to the Oak Grove Christian Church Youth, 261 Oak Grove Rd., Beckley, WV 25801 or the Grandview Christian Church Youth, 185 Table Rock Rd., Beaver, WV 25813.
Online condolences may left at www.calfeefh.com.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley