Tommie Iris Dale Tolar, age 86, was born in Columbia, MS on June 24, 1936 and passed away on May 20, 2023 in Hattiesburg, MS after a brief hospitalization. She attended Columbia High School and graduated in the class of 1954.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Edward Dale and Mary Sawyer Dale; her sister, Ann Dale Robertson; and by her beloved husband, Louis Richard Tolar. She is survived by her three children, Judy Sager of Houston, TX, Marc Tolar of San Mateo, CA, and Lesley McHardy of Jackson, MS; her three grandchildren, Sven Sager, Erik Sager and Lottie McHardy; her sister, Shirley Dale of Madison, MS; as well as a host of nieces, and great-nieces and nephews.
Tommie attended Mississippi State College for Women, where she developed her love of reading and education. She later earned a Master's Degree in Education from the University of New Orleans.
After marrying in 1958, Tommie and Louis moved to New Orleans, LA in 1960, where they raised their three children. Tommie was a dedicated and gifted educator, who worked as a teacher in the Jefferson Parish school system for over 30 years. She was well-respected and loved by both colleagues and students alike. She was highly intelligent and felt called to share her gift with her students, her friends and her family. She was also a fantastic cook! Dinnertime was always a happy time at the Tolar house! Everyone who knew her was very aware of her quick wit…some of her sarcasm has gone down in history as some of the best comedy ever performed.
Tommie loved giving gifts and was known to send out cards for just about every holiday Hallmark celebrates, especially on Valentine's Day, which she proclaimed was her favorite holiday. She always kept little “happys” around, just in case she felt like she needed to cheer someone up. She was kind, thoughtful, loving and generous, and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral arrangements are planned for Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Colonial Funeral Home in Columbia, MS with visitation at 1:00 pm and service at 2:00 pm, followed by committal at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia, MS.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Caminar, - Attn: Development, 411 Borel Ave., Suite 101 San Mateo, CA 94402 or www.Caminar.org
