[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2035-E2036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATION OF LIFE OBITUARY OF DR. BOBBY JOE TOLBERT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I regret to inform the House that during the 
October break, a great American, the Reverend Doctor Bobby Joe Tolbert 
passed away. His memorial service was held October 12th at the Bethel 
Baptist Church in Three Rivers, Michigan.
  Rev. Tolbert was a strong man of faith and he was a pillar of 
strength in St. Joe County. He was respected by all and made a 
difference for thousands--whether it was thru his service on the school 
board, pulpit, business board member, Dad, and husband. All that knew 
him miss him but know he is now praying for us.
  I ask that the Celebration of Life obituary be printed in the Record.

                         A Celebration of Life

       Dr. Bobby Joe Tolbert was the fourteenth child born to the 
     union of Woodie and Jatie Tolbert in Montevello, Alabama. He 
     was preceded in death by both parents and nine siblings; 
     Woodie, Jr., Madelyn McComb, Andrew Tolbert, William Tolbert, 
     Lonnie Tolbert, Rosie Bell Tolbert, Georgia Harris, Lois 
     Mays, and Earlene Williams. Dr. Tolbert received his early 
     education and confessed his faith and hope in God in 
     Montevello.
       As a young man, Dr. Tolbert moved to Chicago, Illinois 
     where he played professional baseball in the Negro American 
     League. From there he entered the White Sox Organization, 
     playing in the Minor Leagues for the Kansas City Monarchs.
       He attended Cortez Peters Business College where he met his 
     loving and devoted wife. This union was blessed with two sons 
     Darryl Wayne and Reginald Fitzgerald. Under the mentoring of 
     his father-in-law, Reverend F.L. Porter, Sr., he received his 
     call to the ministry--thereby moving from the ball team to 
     ``God's Team.''
       Desiring to prepare for the ministry, he matriculated to 
     Chicago Baptist Institute, De Paul University and he received 
     an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Tennessee School 
     of Religion, Memphis, Tennessee.
       Dr. Tolbert was called to the pastorship of Bethel Baptist 
     Church in Three Rivers, Michigan over thirty-six years ago, 
     where he served as a steadfast and devout leader of God's 
     people until he went home to be with the Lord. Under his 
     charge, they built a new church edifice; he developed and 
     built a Recreation and Learning Center; and he set up a 
     College Scholarship Program for underprivileged students. In 
     addition to all of Dr. Tolbert's spiritual endeavors, he made 
     a lasting impact on the whole city of Three Rivers.
       His civic activities over the years of dedicated service 
     include: Three Rivers Community Chest Board, St. Joseph 
     County Mental Health Board, President of Three Rivers 
     Ministerial Association, Sixteen years as President of the 
     Three Rivers Branch NAACP, Sixteen years on the Three Rivers 
     Hospital Authority Board, Kalamazoo/St. Joseph County Private 
     Industry Council (five years), Three Rivers Community School 
     Board of Education (five years), two of those years as 
     President.
       Dr. Tolbert participated in the organization and 
     implementation of the Biddy Basketball program (now called 
     Junior Pro), and Fraternal Order of Police Baseball Program 
     which he coached for five years. As a member of the Civitan 
     Service Club, he helped organize the first youth chapter of 
     Civitan.
       Dr. Tolbert served on the Three Rivers School Board 
     Committee for the building of Three Rivers Middle School, and 
     many other advisory committees. Pastor Tolbert has supported 
     the total community, all while serving his people in the 
     Pastoral Ministry position.
       Dr. Tolbert's life work centered on his deep commitment to 
     do God's will as a spiritual leader, his family and his 
     community. He was a man of faith, integrity, and deep 
     conviction. The legacy he has left will be a guiding force 
     for countless numbers. His memory, the lessons he taught and 
     the love he shared is motivation for us to continue to carry 
     the torch and make this world a better place.
       He leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life: his 
     beloved wife of forty-five years--Henri'Etta; two sons--
     Darryl Wayne (Connie) of Flint, Michigan and Reginald

[[Page E2036]]

     Fitzgerald (Victoria) of Jacksonville, Florida; six 
     grandchildren--Wayne Tolbert, Daniel Tolbert, and Dylan 
     Tolbert of Three Rivers, Michigan and Jessica Tolbert, 
     Brittany Marie Tolbert, and Joshua Tolbert of Jacksonville, 
     Florida; four sisters--Mary Ella Bender of Montgomery, 
     Alabama, Ethel Crenshaw (John) of Chicago, Illinois, Helen 
     Tinker of Chereville, Indiana, and Wilma Abrams (Walter) of 
     North Chicago, Illinois; a host of nieces and nephews; a very 
     special friend, Dr. Leroy Shelton; adopted parents, Dr. W.G. 
     and Mary Terry; his wonderful and loving Bethel Church 
     Family; and a countless number of friends.

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