On January 27, 2023 the most wonderful Mother, Clarice Martin Tolbert, left our arms to go into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our hearts are broken but she is home now and no longer sick or in pain. John 16:33 NIV Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” When Jesus spoke these words He had also overcome death and with this truth we know that this world is not the end. He has provided for us a place to be with Him and we do not grieve as those with no hope. One of the last affirmations Mama made was that Jesus was always faithful and had never left her.
Clarice was born to her loving parents, John and Dollie Martin on January 20, 1948 and was raised in Lineville, AL with her seven brothers and sisters. She and Daddy were married on August 27, 1963 and they lived most of their life in Walker County where she was a member of Trinity Gospel Center. Each morning before starting her day, Mama could be found sitting at the kitchen table reading her Bible. She had a strong faith and brought each of her children and grandchildren up to know and love Jesus Christ. She created a loving home for her husband and four children and stayed home to raise each of them. She worked as a book keeper for the family business – B & R Logging and after Daddy retired she went on to work as an Assistant Manager at Big Lots for over 10 years before she retired to be a full time grandmother. Her grandchildren quickly became the center of her world and each of them knew she loved them the most.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roland Tolbert and our sister Tina Lynn Tolbert and her parents John and Dollie Martin, four brothers and three sisters.
She has four children who are mourning for her and will miss her forever. Tracy Caffee (Robert), Brian Tolbert (Amy), Jason Tolbert (Emily), Roland Tolbert (Amanda). She had ten grandchildren: Grace Varden (Seth), Mary Plyler, Robert A. Caffee, Ciara Caffee, Ava Tolbert, Allyssa Tolbert, Gavin Tolbert, Lauren Hall (Landon) Jake Garcia and Ryan Garcia. She also has two great-grandchildren: Forrest and Willow Hall.
Mama will be laid to rest beside Daddy at New Horizon Memorial Gardens in Dora, AL on Monday, January 30, 2023. Visitation will be from 1pm to 2pm with service being at 2pm at New Horizon Memorial Gardens. Chris Godfrey will be officiating.
Our family would like to express gratitude to the staff of Comfort Care Hospice/Aveanna for the love and care that they each gave to mama and our family. Special thanks to Bethany Phillips for taking care of mama these last few months. Mama loved you and enjoyed spending her days with you. Also special thanks to Highpoint Community Church for the love and prayers that have been sent our way. You will never know how much they meant to us and got us through this difficult time.
