Joseph “Joe” Toler

Published 2:57 pm Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Joseph “Joe” Lincoln Toler of Washington, age 90, passed away peacefully at home on May 1, 2023.

The family will receive friends from 11:00am until 12:00pm, Thursday, May 4, 2023 at First Church of Christ and other times at the Toler residence in Washington. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 pm on Thursday, May 4, at First Church of Christ, 520 E. 10th Street, Washington, and will be officiated by Ray West and Steve Hill. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery in Washington. Pallbearers will be Graham Toler, Hank Toler, William Kelso, Andrew Kelso, Rustyn Gambardella, and Raven Bolster.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Audrey Toler, of the home; sons Joey Toler (Ned) of Wilmington and Mike Toler (Cindy) of Morehead City; daughter Amanda Toler Kelso (Scott) of Cary; brothers Dallas Toler of Blounts Creek and Gary Toler (Dorothy) of Chocowinity; and sister Sandra Mayo (Sam) of Blounts Creek; grandchildren Graham Toler, Alaina Toler, Hank Toler, Carly Bolster (Raven), William Kelso, and Andrew Kelso; and great-grandchildren Rustyn Gambardella, Asher Gambardella, and Cambri Bolster.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Reba Paramore Toler, brother Bill Toler, and sisters Fraye Shuler and Sylvia Lewis.

Toler was born in Blounts Creek and was a 1951 graduate of Aurora High School. He attended Beaufort Community College. Toler worked in the garment business for 38 years, most of it with Hampton Industries in Washington and Greenville. He also served part-time as an EMT-I with Beaufort County Hospital for 20 years. Toler retired from National Spinning in 1995.

Toler served in the U.S. Army for two years, primarily stationed in Camp Fuji, Japan.

Toler was a member of the First Church of Christ where he served as an elder, a deacon, church treasurer, and a Sunday School teacher. He was a member of the Washington Jaycees and the Bunyan Ruritan Club, and served for eight years on the Enlarged Planning Board for the City of Washington.

After retirement, Toler worked part-time for Gregory Poole for 12 years, where he enjoyed meeting new people throughout Eastern North Carolina as he delivered parts. Toler loved wood-working and made at least 60 swings for family and friends.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Flowers are welcome and the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to First Church of Christ, 520 E. 10th Street, Washington, NC, 27889.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Toler family.