| Notes |
- A.Z. "Bud" Tolley, 79, of Johnson City, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, surrounded by his loving friends and family at Franklin Woods Community Hospital.
He was born on December 17, 1935 in Poplar, NC but spent most of his life in Johnson City. He was a son of the late Fred & Hassie Horton Tolley.
Bud married Helen Marshall, the love of his life, and they spent many happy years together, until her death in 2009. They raised two children together. Helen gave Bud a little heart trinket while they were dating and he has carried that heart in his billfold for 50 years. This trinket will continue to be with him. They are now joined together in Heaven where they will spend forever in the presence of God.
Bud and Helen built a church almost 35 years ago that they pastored together for many years. He was a steadfast leader for North Street Church of Jesus Christ in Johnson City. Bud was a pillar in our community and family. In everything he did, he was always thinking of others.
Bud was also an accomplished Electrician and owned and worked for several different companies. He taught his son A.Z. the electric trade and they formed a business together. Bud also taught a lot of young men the electrical trade to give them an opportunity to have a trade. Upon his completion of electrical and refrigeration classes at the vocational school, he took a job at Wrights Supermarket where he worked for 20 years. During which he made many friends that have lasted a lifetime. He also worked for Acorn Electric and TEKA.
He enjoyed helping people anyway he could and was known to volunteer for many different causes. Anyone who knew Bud was somehow touched by his life. He was hard-working and compassionate, a loving father & most important, he shined a light for Jesus that all could see. His life is a reflection of love and honor. Bud was one of a kind and will be forever missed by his friends and loved ones. He is finally Home, gathered around the Throne of God.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Bud is preceded in death by his siblings, Dorothy Musick, Regina Little, Mildred Whitson and Michael Tolley, who sacrificed his life in the Vietnam conflict.
Those left to cherish his memory include his memory include his son, A.Z. Tolley, Jr. and his wife Denise of Johnson City; his daughter, Debi Posadas Peters and her husband Ronnie of Johnson City; grandchildren, Shaunda Posadas Swartz and her husband Garrick, Heather Tolley Clark and her husband Adam, Renee Tolley, Shannon Peters and Shane Peters; great-grandchildren, Tristan Peters, Athena Bradley, Hunter Peters, Keller Clark, Cyrus Clark and Daniel Swartz; brothers, David Tolley and George-Kenneth Tolley; sister, Linda Light; and many nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Bud's sister, Linda Light who was there for him. They spent every Friday on the front porch just talking and taking in the sunshine. She took a great load from Bud by caring for his wife before her death. Bud had a special friend Robert Mitchell. They were very close and shared many days working, riding around or just talking. The family considered Robert a part of them.
In addition, Bud shared a special connection with Jeff. He worked alongside Bud for many years and when they retired, they continued to be friends. Jeff helped Bud in a lot of building projects. He drove from N.C. to sit with Bud in the hospital to allow the family to attend church. The family appreciates this.
Bud has two sisters-in-law, Mary Deal and Wanda Riddle and two brothers-in-law, Johnny Woodby and his wife Bonnie, and Ronnie Woodby and his wife Trudy who all loved Bud and they continued to look up to him as part of his family. Bud had the most wonderful neighbors, Ron and Brenda Coleman, who were always there for him. They shared many years either talking about their families or just sitting on the porch. Bud has a special friend, Pat Sheppard that he shared many a meal and a special friendship.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Connie Pennington for her care and compassion shown to Bud and his family and for the wonderful care given by the ICU nurses at Franklin Woods Hospital.
The family would like to thank anyone and everyone who may have passed by Bud's house, walked up on the porch and sat a spell.
The family will receive friends and family to share memories from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, July 2, 2015, at North Street Church of Jesus Christ, Johnson City.
The family requests your presence for a Celebration of Life Service immediately following at 7:00 PM with Rev. Wayne Pruitt and Rev. George Hall officiating.
A Graveside Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, July 3, 2015, at Washington County Memory Gardens, Johnson City. Attendees are asked to meet at the cemetery by 2:50 PM. Active pallbearers will be, Roger Dale Miller, Terry Miller, Johnny Woodby, Mark Deal, Mark Scalf, Myral David Clark, Shannon Peters, Shane Peters and Tristan Peters.
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1935 - 2015 (79 years)
