Gretchen Lamarr Toliver

Sunrise, January 18, 1943 – Sunset, April 2, 2022

Her Seasons Declaration: “For Everything There Is A Season”

Everyone passes through several “Seasons” in a lifetime, and life’s cycle gives some order to our lives. As with the changing seasons, so are the seasons of destiny:

This is in honor of a life well lived by the lovely Gretchen Toliver. Gretchen was born on January 18, 1943 to the late Allene and Bennie Bunting in Chicago, Illinois. She was the youngest child of two.

“A Time to Live”

Gretchen attended school in the Chicago area and graduated from DuSable High School, in 1961. After graduation, she began her career in the health field by working in a physician’s office. She met and married Robert Hollis and together they had a daughter, Cassandra Denise Hollis while living in Chicago.

In 1969, Gretchen decided to move with her daughter to Pomona, California to live with her sister Estella Diggs and nephew Larry Graham. Shortly after the move Gretchen began nursing school. She completed her nursing program and graduated as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). She started her nursing career, working at Santa Teresita Hospital in Duarte, CA. Gretchen always had the desire to continue her education. While working full time and raising her daughter, Gretchen enrolled in Chaffey Junior College and earned her AA degree. She then went on to work at Queen of the Valley Hospital, in West Covina California. Gretchen loved being a nurse and a caregiver. This career afforded her the opportunity to buy her first home and put her daughter through college at USC. Throughout her nursing career Gretchen established many lifetime friends. Gretchen went on to marry Charles Toliver in 1984. Where they resided in Pomona, California.

Gretchen’s greatest joy was to serve the Lord. She accepted Christ at an early age. She supported her churches and community in a variety of ways. While attending Primm Tabernacle A.M.E. Church in Pomona, she served on several boards and auxiliaries: Stewardess Board, Finance Committee, Trustee Board and Missionary Society. She was a faithful tither and remained a loyal senior member of First African Methodist Episcopal (FAME) Church, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gretchen served the church in many different capacities. She was a very active member of the Missionary Society; she held the position of 3rd Vice President at one time and was in charge of recruiting new members. She also held the position of Historiographer for the Nevada/California Area. With her love of scrapbooking, she created a history with pictures of several area events. If Gretchen was not doing something with her grandchildren, she was at the church offering her assistance in any way she could.

In 2001, after 40 plus years of dedicating her life to caring for patients, Gretchen retired and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. Living with her daughter, Gretchen assisted her with raising her young children; she dedicated her life to the two grandchildren - Hollis and Brennen. Her grandchildren were extremely fortunate to have a Grandma who was so passionate about participating in their school functions and extracurricular activities. She loved them dearly. Gretchen took pride in being a grandmother and enjoyed every moment of her time with them. It gave Gretchen, so much joy to do scrapbooking at her grandchildren’s elementary school, that she continued to assist the teachers for years after her grandchildren graduated from the school. Gretchen loved to attend the local health club for Water Aerobic classes. She easily made friends with the ladies in her class and they enjoyed many lunches together, until the pandemic shut things down.

Traveling was also a joy of Gretchen’s. Her traveling buddy was her sister Estella. They went several places in the US and abroad. It is hard to count how many cruises they went on together. The “girls” as they were affectionally known, from Queen of the Valley Hospital also accompanied her on several excursions. We must not forget the trips taken with the Grandkids as well. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention how Gretchen loved the Hallmark Channel. The Walton’s was her favorite television program.

Gretchen joined our Heavenly Father on Saturday, April 2, 2022. She is survived by her daughter: Cassandra Charles (Lionel Charles, son-in-law), granddaughter: Hollis Johnson and grandson: Brennen Johnson, sister: Estella Diggs, nephew: Latham Graham, and a host of cousins, family and friends. Her memory will last forever in the hearts of her loving family. She lived a very blessed life overflowing in LOVE. She will be well welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmcheyenne.com for the Toliver family.