Leslie T. Tolley

Leslie T. Tolley, 88, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, September 1, 2015.

He was born in May of 1927, at Bible Hill, north of Parsons, Tennessee, to Cynthia Gulledge Tolley and George Thomas Tolley. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Parsons High School.

He served in the U.S. Army from November 21, 1945, through February 5, 1947. He achieved the rank of T/5. He was stationed at Fort MacPherson, Georgia; Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana; Fort Knox, Kentucky; and Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. His overseas service was with The U.S. Army General Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Medals: Victory medal and Army of Occupation of Japan. On August 3, 1947, Leslie married his high school sweetheart, Faye Todd, in Corinth, Mississippi, and they lived with Faye's mother in Parsons, where oldest daughter Charlotte was born.

In MacKenzie, Tennessee, Leslie began his postsecondary education at Bethel College, at which time son Johnny was born. In addition to the undergraduate degree from Bethel College, Leslie earned a Master of Education degree from Memphis State University. He further studied at Topeka College and later earned a Specialist in Education degree from George Peabody/Vanderbilt University. Upon graduation, Leslie and Faye moved to Milan, Tennessee, where Leslie worked at the Milan Arsenal. In 1957, Leslie and Faye moved to Blytheville, Arkansas, where they lived for 56 years. During the 2nd year in Blytheville, their daughter Cindy was born. Leslie began a lifelong career in education as teacher, basketball coach and bus driver at Armorel Schools, where he became principal. He served as principal at Fairview Elementary School in Blytheville and then at Blytheville West Junior High School. He was principal at West Junior High until his retirement at the end of a 38 year career in public school education with 30 years in administration.

His final position was with Adult Education at Cotton Boll Vo-Tech School at Burdette which became part of Arkansas Northeastern College.

Leslie and Faye were active members of First Baptist Church in Blytheville, beginning in 1957. Leslie served as a deacon, head usher, and in other supportive roles. He and Faye were in charge of the Lord's Supper committee for many years and enjoyed singing with the Senior Saints, with Leslie singing occasional solos.

Leslie was a Mason for many years and also served in the Gideon ministry. He was lifelong member of the VFW. In June 2013 Leslie and Faye moved to Stonehaven Assisted Living in Maumelle, Arkansas, enjoying visits from family and caring attention from the staff members.

Leslie was preceded in death by his wife, Faye Todd Tolley; parents, Cynthia Gulledge Tolley &George Thomas Tolley; sisters Velta Tolley, Girtha Gilbert, Gertie Tolley; brothers, Troy Tolley, Herman Tolley, George Tolley, and Carl Tolley.

He is survived by his children Charlotte Case (Jim), Johnny Tolley (Lilli Ann), and Cynthia Knipple (Richard); 4 grandchildren Ashley Mann (Greg), Brent Lowder (Lindsay), Kathryn Taylor (Jeff), and Christen Tolley; 3 great-grandchildren Sebastian & Elizabeth Mann and Josephine Lowder; and brother, Marshall Tolley. Also dear to Les were step-grandchildren Todd Case (Mary) and Jamie Gower (Matt), and their children Cole Case and Finnian and Clementine Gower.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 2 p.m. in the Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Childers officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Cobb Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.