1932
Mary
2025
Mary L Tolbert
April 1, 1932 — February 11, 2025
4/1/1932 ~ 2/11/2025
Mary Lee Tolbert was born April 1st 1932 by a mid-wife in Sweet Home Arkansas to the parents of R.V. Brown and Annie Bell Lewis. Mary, affectionately called Mae Lee, and her two sisters, Ethel and Mabelline, were reared by their grandparents in Sweet Home, Mama Nancy and Papa George Morgan.
Growing up on their grandparents small farm the girls wanted for nothing. Both grandparents were hard workers and great providers.
Mary received Christ around the age of 15 from the famous Zion Hill Baptist Church there in Sweet Home. Mary would often recall to John how they would be in church from sun-up to sun-down with Mama Nancy, and there was no getting out of church on Sundays. Now Mary and her two sisters didn't like that much, but Mama Nancy was as tough as they come and the girls knew that. Mae Lee received her early education from Sweet Home elementary and then from Sweet Home junior and senior high.
Mary had two young children, Jackie and John, by the time she met her first husband, Elmer V. Welchen JR. in 1957. Out of that union two children were born, Chanital and Mae Annette. The family of six early on lived on the Jacksonville Air Force base as Elmer was a serviceman. Elmer, affectionately called Junior, was transferred to Offutt Air Force base, and that is how Mary arrived in Omaha, NE for the first time.
Mary was a homemaker early on in marriage, but when the economy got tight she found long term work with Marco's Laundry and Cleaners. Mary also received a nursing assistance certificate in 1986. Mary's fondness for driving landed her final career, that being a school bus driver for OPS. Mary was also a great caretaker for both her grandparents and her mother.
Mary's first love outside the house was fishing. One of her best friends, Maybell Jones would be with her often, fishing wherever the big fish were biting. They were great friends. Even in the last three years, and fishing from her wheelchair, Mary was relentless at catching those "small" bluegills! Mother would scoff at the kids for wanting to leave early, after already spending many hot hours at the lake! We would drag her away and she would be cussing and fussing. Mother kept us laughing!! 🤣
Mary was a long time member of the Los Diablos motorcycle club, were they participated with other clubs here in Omaha and around the country. Many club activities included parade riding, annual cooking events like hog roasts, Easter egg hunts and school back pack giveaways for the community children. Mary was a great cook and she and Maybell cooked many dinners to help support the motorcycle club.
Mary is preceded in death by two husbands, Elmer V. Welchen, JR and David Tolbert. Two daughter-in-laws, Eva and Shirley, one sister Maebelline, two daughters, Jacqueline and Antoinette and grandkids Ron, Sheron and Tyrone. As well as her nephew Dion.
Mary is survived by her children John, Chanital, Mae Annette (Vernon) and George. Sister Ethel L. Williams, nieces and nephew Betty Ann, David, Toni, Sheree, Mable, Tammie as well as her grandkids Tikita, Quincy, Quinnetta, Kimberly, James, Gary and a host of great-grandchildren. Mary will be deeply missed by friends and family to numerous to mention.
CELEBRATION OF MARY'S LIFE: Monday, February 24, 2025 at 11:00am, with VISITATION one hour prior to the service, all at Braman Mortuary (72 St. Chapel)
Braman Mortuary & Cremation Services
1702 N. 72 St. Omaha, NE 68114 / 402-391-2171
To send flowers to the family in memory of Mary L Tolbert, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, February 24, 2025
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Braman Mortuary (72 St Chapel)
Celebration of Life
Monday, February 24, 2025
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Braman Mortuary (72 St Chapel)
Guestbook
Visits: 8
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