Barbara C. Tolley, 88

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Barbara Coralyn Tolley, 88, of Litchfield, died on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at 4:13 p.m. at Heritage Health: Therapy and Senior Care in Litchfield.

A private family service will be held with interment at Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family.

Mrs. Tolley was born Aug. 19, 1932, in Dale, the only child of Loomis McKinley and Norah Alice (Tucker) Barker. She married Bill Tolley on Oct. 27, 1951, at the Methodist church in Dale, and he survives.

She graduated from McLeansboro High School in 1950. She, her husband and first daughter moved from Dale to Litchfield in 1960, when her husband was hired to establish and manage the Aylco Chemical store. Their other two daughters joined the family after the move.

A homemaker, Mrs. Tolley treasured her roles as wife and mother. In addition, she worked as the secretary for St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Litchfield for 15 years.

She was a faithful member of St. Timothy United Methodist Church. She belonged to the Builders Sunday School class, served as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, and belonged to the Pricilla Circle and United Methodist Women (UMW). She was active with the UMW rummage and cherry pie bake sales, and many in the community still remember those delicious pies.

Mrs. Tolley dearly loved her home. She enjoyed the holidays and decorating for the four seasons. She was a fashion diva and believed “sensible shoes” were terribly overrated. She always looked forward to going out dancing with her husband and their friends on Saturday nights. 

She relished her morning coffee, books, word puzzles and flowers, and enjoyed going for long walks with her dear pal and Cocker Spaniel, Lady. She was a loving wife, devoted daughter and cherished mother, grandmother and aunt.

In addition to her husband of 69 years, Mrs. Tolley is survived by her children, Carolyn (Howard) Nimmons of Florissant, MO, Loralea (David) Liss of Argenta and Teresa (David) Fields of Channahon; four grandchildren, Joseph (Amanda) Nimmons of Superior, CO, Matthew (Tiffany) Nimmons of Maryville, Lauren Hocking of Decatur and Elise Hocking of Champaign; six great-grandchildren, Brandon, Connor, Mallory, Brody, Gabrielle and Jacqueline; sisters-in-law, Verma Hensley of Evansville, IN, Ida Greer Wilson of Carmi and Edith Tolley Robinson of Swansea; nephew, Dan (Betsy) Greer of Washington, MO; niece, Beth (Ron) Kennon of Swansea; and great-nephew, Jesse Dale of Carbondale.

She was preceded in death by her parents; great-grandson, Drew Nimmons; and two nieces, Mary Duncan and Rosanna Dale.

Memorials may be directed to St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Litchfield.

To light a candle or sign the online guestbook, visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.