Bejamin Franklin Toler

Benjamin Franklin Toler, Jr. (Ben) passed away Thursday, October 06, 2011 at the age of 84. He was the son of the late Benjamin Franklin Toler, Sr. and Gertha Trull Toler. He resided in Rocky Mount his entire life. Ben was a member of the First Christian Church - Disciples of Christ since joining in 1950. He was a member of the Outreach Sunday School class and served as a deacon and trustee, as well as in other church capacities. Ben was a member of Corinthian Lodge number 230 AF & AM, York Rite Bodies and the Sudan Shrine Temple. Ben served in the United States Army in Germany during World War II. After service, he enrolled at NC State College in diesel engineering courses. In 1948 he married his high school sweetheart, Bobbie Wooten. He worked for 39 years as a railroad engineer with CSX Railroad, retiring in 1988. At age 69, after retirement from the railroad, Ben graduated from Barton College in 1996. Ben also did graduate work at East Carolina University in the History department. Ben's great love and generosity to his family, church, and friends was prevalent at all times; as was his constant joy of being optimistic and humorous. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Wooten Toler of the home; sons, Ben F. Toler III and wife Ruthie of Clayton and Dr. Lee Toler and wife Sylvia of Raleigh; daughter, Robin Toler Meeks and husband Danny of Wilmington; grandchildren, Benjamin Toler IV, Grayson Toler, Allison Toler Downs, Eric Toler, Samantha Meeks, and Hayley Meeks; and sisters, Margaret Munn and Evelyn Taylor of Durham and Anne Dice of Rocky Mount. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Hawkins of Rocky Mount. The family will receive friends and relatives 1:30pm to 3:00pm Sunday, October 09, 2011 at First Christian Church. A funeral service will follow at 3:00pm with Pastor Kathy Jo Mitchell and Dr. John Browning officiating. Burial will be at Pineview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 1101 West Haven Blvd., Rocky Mount NC 27803 or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation First Christian Church (of Wilson) 207 Tarboro Street, N.E. Wilson, NC 27893 Sunday 10/9, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Service First Christian Church (of Wilson) 207 Tarboro Street, N.E. Wilson, NC 27893 Sunday 10/9, 3:00 pm Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801