Wilson Haywood Tolbert's Obituary
Dr. Reverend Wilson Haywood Tolbert, Sr., 86 of Newark, New Jersey passed away on February 3, 2020.
Reverend Tolbert was born in Shelby County, Montevallo-Maylene, Alabama to Dr. Frank Haywood and Anna Mae (Wilson) Tolbert on July 2, 1933. Wilson at the ripe age of 12 dedicated his life to the Lord and has continued to walk accordingly. He attended elementary school in Selma, Alabama. His industry and determination were shown early in his initiative to secure an education. He picked cotton, plowed fields, shined shoes, scrubbed floors, washed windows, and polished cars in order to obtain his education. Upon completion of elementary/junior high school, Wilson Tolbert left home at 16 to attend Parker High School. His father drove him to Birmingham Alabama so he could graduate from an accredited high school. Wilson graduated from Parker High School in 1951 while working for Welch Brother's Funeral Home. In 1953 Parker High School was well known as the largest Negro High School in the world. Wilson worked for and resided at Welch's Funeral Home during his high school days; Mr. Welch saw something special in this 16 year old young man and while being a trustee for Miles College, he was able to get Wilson a scholarship. Wilson majored in history and minored in chemistry and was recognized as a licensed apprentice embalmer only by the state of Alabama.
Wilson continued his pursuit to become an undertaker at Miles College, however, the Lord saw another calling for him and this is where he began his preaching career. This is also where he began to follow his father's footsteps into ministry. Wilson was ordained in 1955 in the Macedonia 17th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama under the tutelage of Pastor, Dr. Otis J. Jackson.
Reverend Tolbert preached at various churches throughout the Birmingham community until he completed his studies at Miles College. Upon completion of his studies at Miles College, he moved to Richmond, Virginia in 1956 to attend Virginia Union University. He focused on theology instead of history and chemistry. He received his Master in Religious Studies from Virginia Union University and in 1957 he was called to preach at Sharon Baptist Church as well as Queen Esther. Reverend Tolbert provided spiritual inspirations to both of these churches for eleven (11) years before he moved to Riverhead Long Island NY's First Baptist Church before he became pastor of the long standing Berean Baptist Church in Newark New Jersey. Reverend Tolbert pastored Berean Baptist Church for 33 years before he retired. He is recognized as Reverend, Dr. Wilson Haywood Tolbert Srl, in the regional areas of Birmingham, Alabama, Richmond, Virginia, and Newark, New Jersey. Reverend Tolbert is a widow. He lost his beloved Evelyn Lee Tolbert in March, 2014. He is survived by his four siblings: Thelma(87), James(?), Clyde(83) and Barbara(?) and his children; Devera, Wilson Jr., David, Hyronda, Barry and other family members and friends. Wilson Haywood Tolbert Sr. Called to pastor during his lifetime was ordained in 1951 and continues to do the Lord's work even after his death.
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