Mary Ann Allen Tolbert

MURFREESBORO - Mary Ann Allen Tolbert died Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Mary Ann was born in Murfreesboro on July 17, 1923, to the late James Spencer Allen and Annie B. Nelson Allen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Ashley Tolbert, Sr. and her only brother, William Allen.

Mary Ann and Ashley were married 61 years prior to his death in 2001. They began their married life in Murfreesboro in 1940 and spent many wonderful and happy years raising their seven children. Mary Ann and Ashley moved to Hollow Rock, Tenn. in 1953 where Ashley worked for the L&N Railroad. Upon his retirement in 1972, they moved back to Murfreesboro.

Mary Ann will be remembered first as a devoted wife and mother whose kind and gentle ways served as a role model to many. Her generosity of spirit will always be remembered by those who knew and loved her. She greatly enjoyed gardening, needlework and reading and was a long-time member of the University of Tennessee's Extension Family and Community Education Club (formerly known as the Home Demonstration Club) of Rutherford County. She attended Kingwood Heights Church of Christ for many years and in her later years, attended Believer's Chapel in Murfreesboro.

She is survived by all seven of her children, Diane Wright of Huntingdon, Tenn., Allen Ashley Tolbert, Jr. (Rena) of Nashville, Sheryl Sandefur of Murfreesboro, Spencer Tolbert (Nola) of Lanark Village, Florida, Deborah Wallace (Steve) of Murfreesboro, Kathryn Hendrix (Gary) of Palm Coast, Florida and Cynthia Basham (Ronald) of Woodbury; grandchildren, Michael Caplinger of Bruceton, Tenn., Kim Dillahunty of Huntingdon, Tenn., Rachel Tolbert Gideon (Marvin) of Nashville, Alex Wallace (Cynthia) of Murfreesboro, Mary Nola Tolbert (Jay Fehring) of Clermont, Florida, Elizabeth Sawhney and Zachary Hendrix (Krista) of Omaha, Nebraska, John Daniel Alexander (Jessica), Matthew Allen Alexander (Rebecca) and Ashley Basham of Woodbury; great-grandchildren, Abi, Miles, Liam and Mary Claire Alexander; Jack, Ben and Noah Wallace, Ava Malia Fehring, Colton, Hattie Ann and Walker Alexander, and Amaan Sawhney; her sister, Marjorie Via of Vermillion, OH; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 30, 2023, at Evergreen Cemetery with Pastor Barry Mershon officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Woodfin Memorial Chapel and an online guestbook is available for the Tolbert family at www.woodfinchapel.com.

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies...Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come...Her children rise up and call her blessed...Her husband also and he praises her...Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Proverbs, Chapter 31, NKJV.