Mrs. Marie Box Toalson, age 100, passed away August 15, 2009 at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, MO. She was born July 24, 1909 in Aldrich, MO, the eighth child of James Young “J.Y.” and Margaret Jane Box. She attended school at Aldrich and graduated from Walnut Grove High School.
She placed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at age 12 while attending the First Baptist Church in Walnut Grove and was baptized in Ball Creek near Walnut Grove.
She was united in marriage to Ernie Horner on June 24, 1932 and to this union her daughter, Jacquelynn was born. After Ernie’s untimely death, Marie was united in marriage to Paul Toalson on November 17, 1939. To this union were born three daughters, Pauletta, Carolyn and Kay. Marie and Paul celebrated 44 years of marriage together. Marie spent many years of her life caring for elderly family members and neighbors, both in her home and all around Aldrich. When Paul suffered a stroke, Marie became his nurse and during this time she began writing down memories of her life which culminated in a book of her life entitled, “He Keeps Me Singing.”
Marie loved to sing and give readings whenever she was asked. She taught her daughters to sing and music became a very large part of her life. She raised her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and taught the young people’s Sunday school class of Aldrich Methodist Church for more than fifty years. Marie was known for her love of people and desire to bring happiness whenever she went and with whomever she came in contact. A poem she really loved and which expressed this desire of her life entitled “Growing Older” is quoted as follows:
Lord, help me to grow older, the way You’d have me to be,
Not to gripe and complain, but to age gracefully;
To keep my feelings to myself, not tell of every ache and pain;
To count each day a blessing in sunshine and in rain;
To remind myself all that’s good comes only from above,
Sent by a merciful God who blesses those He loves.
Help me love my fellow man, to try to wear a smile,
To make this world a better place by being here awhile.
So when I leave this world, those I have known will say,
“I remember her, not for what she had, but for what she gave away.”
(Author Unknown)
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands Ernie Horner and Paul Toalson, her daughter Jacque, and all of her brothers and sisters.
Survivors include her daughter, Pauletta Kay, Carolyn and husband Jim Gables, Kay and her husband Larry Wheeler; 11 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; 2 nephews and 2 nieces.
A celebration of Marie’s life will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday August 18, 2009 in Aldrich Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, August 17, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the funeral home. Friends and family may sign a guest book or send private condolences at: www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel of Greenlawn Funeral Homes, Bolivar, MO.