Venola Tolbert

TOLBERT, Mrs. Venola - Age 82, passed away Friday, May 11, 2012 at Genesys Regional Medical Center. Family hour Thursday, May 17, 2012 at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Ave., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11 a.m. Pastor Carlos D. Williams officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Family and friends will assemble at the church 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Mrs. Tolbert will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. with the family present from 5-7 p.m. Mrs. Venola Tolbert was born June 15, 1929 in Cornersville Arkansas. The daughter of Alfonso and Estella Johnson. She was united in marriage to Matt (Zeke) Tolbert, May 31, 1947. Venola retired from teaching in the Flint Community School System in 1993 after 24 years of service. She was a devoted member of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle and an active member of the Nurse’s Guild. Venola enjoyed fishing, the outdoors, and was a regular walker at Courtland Center Mall. She was also an avid movie goer and active in UAW 599 Retiree Chapter. Venola loved reading her Bible, working crossword puzzles, viewing game shows, working in her garden, and tending to her flower beds. On a sunny day you would often find her sitting on the porch with her pet Beagle, Casey. Mrs. Tolbert leaves to cherish in her memory: sons, Gregory Tolbert-Bey of Flint, Marshall (Beverly) Tolbert of Macomb, MI, Matt Bernard (Keisha) Tolbert of Flint Township, Bruce (Pat) Tolbert Of Flint and Randolph Tolbert of Grand Blanc, MI; daughters, Victoria (Eric) Kilgore of Flint and Annette Tolbert of Burton, MI; 17 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; brother, Raymond (Ethel Mae) Johnson of Flint; brother-in-law, Chris Ridgell of West Bloomfield, MI; sister-in-law, Lela Mary Johnson of Flint; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Tolbert was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Matt Tolbert on October 8, 1999; daughter, Valerie Tolbert on June 29, 2000; parents; 4 brothers; and 4 sisters. The family would like to express a special thanks to walking partner Bessie M. Jackson, dear friend Berthola Althemier, special thanks to the Wager St. neighborhood, Dr. George Tumaneng, the 3rd floor nursing staff at Genesys Regional Medical Center, Pastor Carlos D. Williams, the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle Family and Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home.

Venola Tolbert

June 15, 1929 - May 11, 2012