Mary Bell Cornett Tolley
Published 4:41 pm Thursday, January 23, 2025
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Mary Bell Cornett Tolley, 103, of Elizabethton, left this world on January 22, 2025 at Hillview Nursing Facility in Elizabethton. Heaven’s gate opened to welcome her into the arms of her Lord that she served faithfully.
Mary was born to Myrtle Stevens Cornett and Frank Cornett on October 16, 1921. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Zeke Tolley Sr.; sons, Billy Gerald Tolley Sr. and his wife Betty Birchfield Tolley, Jimmy Roger Tolley and Douglas Carroll Tolley; her step-granddaughter, Jennifer Foltz Phillips; and sisters, Georgia Carlton and Retha Whitehead.
We have been beyond blessed with a true Matriarch for all these years. Mary raised five sons, kept house, planted mammoth gardens, preserved all she grew, and held down a full-time job for many years. She taught all her family the meaning of Living for the Lord, was council, teacher, mother, and grandmother with unrivaled love for her family.
Left to cherish her memory is her sons, Dean Tolley (Louise) and Zeke Tolley Jr. (Charlene); 10 grandchildren, Greg Tolley, Gretta Tolley Arnold, Toria Tolley, Tina Tolley McConnell (Tom) Billy G. Tolley G. Tolley II, Bobby Tolley (Heather), Stephen Tolley, David Tolley (Sue Ann), Diana Tolley Greenway (Randy) and Tammy Tolley Alison (David); four step-grandchildren Susan Foltz Chambers (Jeff), Steve Foltz, Doug Phillips and Andy Foltz (Lisa); 11 great-grands and nine great-great-grands.
A service to celebrate and honor Mary’s life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 26, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton with Mr. D.L. Whaley honoring his long-time friend as officiant and Greg Tolley offering her eulogy. Tina McConnell, Stephen Tolley and Gretta Arnold will all be speaking at the service. The family will receive friends between the hours of 1 and 2 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home chapel prior to the service. Friends may also visit with the family at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Louise Tolley, 102 Lynnview Circle, Elizabethton, TN 37643. The graveside service will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons, Will Arnold, R.J. Arnold, Blaine Tolley, Taylor Tolley, T.J. Burgess and Connor Tolley. Rev. DeWayne Calhoun will honor Mary and family with a closing prayer at the graveside.
Mary’s family would like to thank Sycamore Springs Senior Living caregivers for all the love they showered on her and Hillview Nursing Facility for the care given to her. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations in memory of Mary to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Words of comfort may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to serve the Tolley family. Office Phone: (423) 542-2232.