Sarah Ruth Toler

Sarah (Sally) Ruth Baker Toler was born on June 26, 1935, to parents Mildred Vivian Calvert Baker and Luther Baker in Port Arthur, Texas, and she passed away on June 24, 2012 in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by her four children and spouses..

After Sally was born, the family soon moved to Houston, Texas, for five years before permanently settling in Garland, Texas, in 1940. Sally attended the Garland schools and graduated from Garland High School in 1953 where she was editor of the Owl’s Nest and was a Dashing Deb. She attended Southern Methodist University (SMU) for two years before marrying her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Jim Toler, on June 25, 1955, at the First Baptist Church of Garland where they were both members.

Sally and Jim moved to Springfield, Missouri, where Jim was employed by Kraft foods and they both soon attended Southwest Missouri State. Sally took a temporary leave of absence from college to become a full time mother in 1956 when her first child Amy was born. In 1957 the family moved back to Garland and another child, a son named Larkin, was born to the young family followed by a third child, a son named Toby, in 1959. Even as a wonderful full time wife and mother, Sally still found time to serve as President of the Preschool Mother’s Club and many other community and church endeavors. She began her lifelong pattern early of being a supportive wife to her husband’s activities when he was a young football coach and later Mayor of Garland.

Sally Toler knew the importance of education and in 1961 she again attended SMU and completed her Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1964, following the birth of their fourth child, a daughter Nancy Jane, in 1963. Although Sally never taught a day of school, her degree was not wasted because she demonstrated the importance of hard work, dedication, and commitment to her children and she greatly impressed upon them that a college degree was important and could provide security for the future.

Even as a young mother, Sally Toler was remarkable and active. She was the cub scout “den mother” leader and room mother for each of her kid’s classrooms. She was “green” and recycled before it was popular because she created the most wonderful children’s birthday parties using little or no money or materials. Sally used recycled tissue paper and newspaper to make homemade party hats. She even drew the donkey on paper and made the “tails” and creatively used glass milk jars and clothespins for party games.

Whether she was entertaining five year olds or later senators and governors, she was always the supreme hostess. As time moved on from those early birthday party days, Sally did all of the cooking and preparations for elaborate receptions and political fundraisers in their home. She gave lovely showers and teas and was famous for her elegant and delicious buffets and party trays. Sally was so gracious and giving and always made her guests feel welcome and special no matter the occasion. Her husband Jim knew he could call her with very short notice and she would prepare delicious business luncheons and look gorgeous when they arrived. Sally was Jim Toler’s not so secret weapon and the primary reason for his success.

As an accomplished seamstress, Sally Toler made clothes for herself and her young family. As the family grew, she made elaborate costumes for plays and was always creating and sewing beautiful party dresses. Later, “Granny” made beautiful outfits for her grandchildren and became famous for her personalized towels for teammates of her grandchildren and even her great-grandchildren.

In the early 1970’s Sally Toler made homemade bread and for the next forty years the world became a better place to live. Warm loaves of delicious sourdough bread were present at all family gatherings, reunions, friends’ dinners, births, deaths, illnesses, holidays, and even grandchildren’s athletic teams. Sally’s delicious bread filled her freezer and was ready at a moment’s notice for any event and she was so willing to share and spread her love through her bread.

Being a loving and supportive wife was the greatest gift Sally Toler gave her children. Her children grew up with total security and confidence knowing that their parents loved each other and therefore all was right with the world. Jim and Sally loved each other with a love that is rare and precious. Sally was devoted and supportive in every way and Jim adored her and the result was a successful and remarkable marriage. They shared great travel and sporting adventures and truly were best friends and companions.

Although Sally was an amazing wife and mother, she was legendary as a loving grandmother. She not only was present in the lives of her grandchildren, she was their number one supporter and cheerleader. Grandchildren were always treated to “Granny Camp” at the ranch where she had numerous activities planned from painting t-shirts to nature hikes. She taught them practical skills in the kitchen and in life and nature. She never sugar coated the realities of life and they learned about the real world. Granny taught them everything from how to correctly set a proper table to how to bury dead things deep enough so the coyotes wouldn’t dig them up. Her grandchildren knew Granny was always on their side. Once at the ranch an expensive exotic chicken attacked one of her granddaughters, pecking her on her ankles and Granny immediately grabbed it, wrung its neck and cooked it for supper, stating that nothing hurt her grandchildren and lived to tell the story. Needless to say, her actions spoke volumes.

Sarah (Sally) Baker Toler was a remarkable wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, and she will be missed so much by all who loved and cherished her more than words can express.

Sally (Mother, Granny) was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 56 years, James Larkin (Jim) Toler, and her parents. She is survived by four children: daughter Amy Toler Weems and husband Ted Weems of Houston; son Larkin Toler, son Toby Toler and wife Carol, and daughter Nancy Toler Carroll and husband Russ, all of Dallas. She is survived by eleven grandchildren: Jennifer Weems Eames and husband Michael Eames of Dickinson; James Weems and wife Stephanie of Deer Park; Andrea Toler Wamble and husband Trey of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Berryman Toler of Dallas; Lindsay Toler of St. Louis, Missouri; Laura Toler, William Toler, Benjamin Toler, Sarah Carroll, Abigail Carroll all of Dallas; and Alex Carroll and wife Kelsey of Austin, Texas. She is survived by five great-grandchildren: Katherine and Allen Eames of Dickinson, Texas; and Sydney, Natalie, and Owen Weems from Deer Park, Texas. She is also survived by her sister Janie Hutchison and husband Charles of San Antonio, and sister-in-law Linda Chandler and husband Alvin of Rowlett, Texas. Sally Toler is survived by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and many friends.

Alzheimer’s disease is cruel and can forever take away so much of a person’s life and past. However, Sally/Granny/Mother always knew her family and old friends and even called us by name, and for that, we are so blessed and grateful. Sally (Mother, Granny) Baker Toler will live on forever in the hearts and minds of us all.

The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to Dr. Gretchen Toler, the owners (the Huneyagers and Headricks) and loving staff (Trina, Grace and Sandy) of the Abbey Care Homes, and the devoted hospice staff led by Ryanne Hollingsworth and Birgit Adams. Also a very special thank you to Sharon, Michael, Lovette, and Naketha of “No Place Like Home” for their loving and special service during our Mother’s final care. We will be forever grateful to you all for your loving and devoted care of our parents.

At the request of the Toler family, memorials may be sent the Richardson Improvement Corporation benefitting the Ruth Back Toler Park. The address is: Richardson Improvement Corporation, 2100 East Campbell Road, Suite 100, %Al Johnson, Executive Director, Richardson, Texas, 75081. In the memo portion of the check please write “Donation to RBTP” in memory of Sally Toler.