Bernice Chambers Toliver was born to the union of the late Marie and James Arthur Garfield Chambers in Bastrop County, Texas. She was the last of their 12 children. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and savior and was baptized in Little Sandy Creek in Sayersville, Texas by the pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
She attended school in Bastrop County. Because the county had limited resources for Black students, she always tried to obtain more education than what was offered. This led her to a lifelong love of learning as Bernice endeavored to earn her bachelor’s degree from Huston-Tillotson College and her master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University. Then she enjoyed a career of 30+ years as an educator.
Just as she was an ambitious student, so was she personally. She was a “people person” and “social-butterfly.” This aspect of her personality gained the immediate attention of a gentleman named Olen Toliver, and the two were wed in 1948. They remained happily married until the untimely death of Olen in 1986. In this most difficult time in her life, she was comforted by her two sons Marshall Roy Douglas Toliver and Ronald Eugene Toliver.
Bernice leaves to honor her memory, two sons Marshall Roy Douglas Toliver (Joycelyn) and Ronald Eugene Toliver (Cheryl) as well as her grandkids Erica Dawn Williams, Erica Dotson, and Tre Dotson.
A visitation for Bernice will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78752. A funeral service will occur Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 4301 Tannehill Lane, Austin, Texas 78721. A graveside service will occur Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 12:30 PM at Evergreen Cemetery, 3304 E 12th St. & Airport Blvd., Austin, Texas 78721.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Toliver family.
