OBITUARY
Rev. Dr. Robert J Tolbert Jr.
August 30, 1930 – August 7, 2020

IN THE CARE OF
Cummings & Davis Funeral Home
Reverend Dr. Robert James Tolbert Jr. age 89, went to be with his Master
on Friday, August 7, 2020.He died of natural causes at Cleveland Clinic-
South Point Hospital in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. Funeral Services will
be held at Cory United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 22, 2020.
Time will be announced.
Reverend Dr. Tolbert was born in Murfreesboro, Arkansas on August 30,
1930 to the parents Rev. Robert J. Tolbert Sr. and Ellen Jane Andrews
Tolbert. To the union three children were born: Robert J., George W., and
Ellen J. who all preceded him in death.
Reverend Dr. Tolbert attended Philander Smith College in Little Rock,
Arkansas. He attended Gammon Theological Seminary and graduated.
He was pastoring Lennon-Memorial United Methodist Church in South
Pittsburg, Tennessee met Mary Carolyn Jones. They were wed. To the
marriage were born two children: Carolyn J. and Robert J. Tolbert III.
Reverend Dr. Tolbert began his ministerial career in 1950. Over the years
he pastored churches in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio. He
entered the United Methodist Church Northeast Ohio Conference in
1969. He pastored Centenary United Methodist Church, Union Avenue
UMC in Alliance, Ohio.
Reverend Dr. Tolbert was appointed the first African-American in the East
Ohio Conference as Akron District Superintendent in 1974-1979. One
of his most notable tenures was at the Cory United Methodist Church
where he began pastoring in 1979. Cory grew under his leadership where
he helped to start many initiatives to include Cory Kitchen and the former,
Cory Mass Choir under the direction of Inez Gorman.
Reverend Dr. Tolbert received his Doctorate of Ministry from United
Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio in 1991. He was a loyal and
faithful member of the Black Methodist Church Renewal (BMCR). He
provided leadership to the East Ohio BMCR and also to the jurisdictional
organization. He was a passionate spokesman on behalf of racial justice and
a mentor to both clergy and lay.
In later years, he pastored smaller churches in the Northeast Ohio
Conference but his impact was just as powerful. He retired from the
ministry in 2003.
Reverend Dr. Tolbert enjoyed teaching bible study, fishing and attending
family gatherings of all kinds. He always had a smile and a positive word
for members, family and friends.
Reverend Dr. Tolbert is survived by his wife, Mary, Cleveland, Ohio; his
daughter Carolyn (Cleveland, Ohio) and; Robert (Cleveland, Ohio).
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Past Services
Friday,
August 21, 2020
Visitation
Saturday,
August 22, 2020
Wake
Saturday,
August 22, 2020
Funeral Service
In Memory Of
Rev. Dr. Robert J Tolbert Jr.
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Rev. Dr. Robert J Tolbert Jr.
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