Nelda C. Toothman

Educator Nelda Church Toothman, a true Southern lady who grew her own roses, restored antiques and loved beautiful things, said goodbye to her loved ones and died Saturday morning, January 7, 2012, at her home in Tallahassee. She was 89.

Born in Barren County, Kentucky, on Feb. 18, 1922, she married Rex Clifford Toothman in Woodburn, Kentucky, on May 28, 1947.

Nelda attended Western Kentucky University and proudly received a bachelor's degree from Florida State University later in life. She earned her master's degree in education from the University of South Florida. She was a trainer for Tom Gordon's Effectiveness Training for teachers, parents and leaders.

She taught at Carlton Palmore and Scott Lake Elementary Schools in Lakeland, Florida, and later coordinated the volunteer program for the Polk County School System. Nelda distributed a line of women's clothing and worked in an upscale clothing store in North Carolina for several years; both served as outlets for her love of fashion. When her daughters were young, she made sure they were well-dressed by sewing all their clothing herself.

Nelda wrote a book, "The Teacher Within," and enjoyed discussing it with students at Thomas University, where it is used in classrooms. A scholarship fund has been established there in her name.

Nelda belonged to the Junior League, and for many years enjoyed being part of a close-knit group of Lakeland families that enjoyed special events at the Lakeland Yacht & Country Club, dinner parties and dances. She and Rex often cleared the dance floor; both were fabulous dancers.

She doted on her grandchildren, restored antiques for the home she and Rex built on Scott Lake, and grew gorgeous rose bushes in her back yard. She famously brought buckets of them to events for friends. The secret to their beauty was the cow manure she used as fertilizer. She drove to pastures and hauled it back to her yard in the trunk of her Volvo.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by sons, Thomas Evans Toothman of Tallahassee and William Gay of Lakeland; daughters, Nancy Toothman Murray of Fairbanks, AK and Mary Shawn Toothman of Tampa; nieces, Sarah Mercer Chatel and her husband, Peter, of Atlanta, GA, Margie Mercer Patchett and her husband, Bob, of Royal Oak MI; nephew, Michael Mercer, and his wife, Shirley, of Houston; grandchildren, Matthew Hood Roberts of Tallahassee, Taylor Toothman Dunn of Fairbanks, AK, Jessica Lane Toothman Gay and Carlos Gay of Lakeland; daughter-in-law, Nikki Gay of Lakeland, sons-in-law Ken Murray of Fairbanks, AK and John Dunn of Clearwater, FL; great-grandson, Drayke Gay of Lakeland. She had hoped to meet a new great-grandchild this spring, courtesy of Jessica Gay.

Services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Monday in the chapel at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Nelda Toothman's scholarship fund at Thomas University, 1501 Millpond Road, Thomasville, GA.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.