THELMA BOYD TOLER

Thelma (Ann) Boyd Toler, daughter of the late Josephine Boyd Fields and Al Junius Fields was born November 3, 1937, in Tarboro, North Carolina. She departed this life October 2, 2024, at The Casey House in Rockville, Maryland.Thelma graduated from the former East Suffolk High School, Class of 1955. She was class secretary as a freshman and sang in the school choir for four years. Basketball was her favorite extracurricular activity, and she insisted her granddaughter follow in her footsteps in the sport.Thelma enjoyed a 45-year career in the Federal Government as a Small Business Specialist for the Office of Administration, Executive Office of the President. In that capacity she had personal contact with multiple First Ladies and enjoyed her role in ensuring their procurement needs were met. Her professional success was not limited to her day-to-day responsibilities, rather it was her ability tohelp others that was the crowning achievement of her life. It was her tenacity and determination toprovide opportunities for others that will be her legacy. At every opportunity she mentored, supported, encouraged, and advocated for everyone needing a job to apply for positions in the Federal Government. As their mentor she diligently told them when it was time to apply for a promotion, go back to school for an advanced degree or pivot to another department or industry when there was no opportunity for advancement. Many of them attended her retirement ceremony in 2004 to express their appreciation for her guidance. As a child she accepted Jesus Christ, in her life. She attended Tyne Street and First Baptist Mahan Street Churches in Suffolk, Virginia. After relocating to Washington, DC, she joined The Florida Avenue Baptist Church and later joined The People's Community Baptist Church. There she was a member of the Issachar Tribal Family and her beloved Generation 1. She remained active until herrecent illness. In addition, she was a Life Member, National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Potomic Valley Section; Past Matron, Zorah Chapter No. 36, Order of the Eastern Star, PHA, Rockville,Maryland and Honorary Past Imperial Commandress and Past Imperial Deputy for the Desert of Maryland and, Anwar Court No. 197, Imperial Court of the Daughter of Isis, PHA, Rockville, Maryland.Thelma loved her family. To her, everyone was family. She was the happiest with a house full of people any day of the week, invited or unexpected. She welcomed international students, interns, college students and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins into her home.Thelma was most proud of her three sons: Joel L. Boyd, M.D., Herbert H. Toler, Jr., Ph.D., and Al David Toler, DDS. She poured her heart and soul into raising them and provided them with an extraordinary educational and spiritual foundation to ensure their professional and personal success. Thelma was preceded in death by her stepbrothers Al Jr. and Walter and stepsister Catherine and survived by one stepsister Elnora Stagg. She leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy of selfless giving her sons Joel (Cheryl), Herbert Jr. (Erica), Al (Nathalie), grandchildren Kendall (Brian),Kyle (Archana), Kasey, Heather, Halle, Herbert III, Lawrence, Jacob; great-grandchildren Gabrielle,Garrett, Logan, Jermaine and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends.