Shirley Jean Toler, 90, of Petersburg, Virginia, walked through Heaven’s Gate on Wednesday, August 4, 2026 at Magnolia Post Acute Care in Colonial Heights, Virginia after a brief illness.

Shirley was born February 26, 1936 on a farm in Greene County, North Carolina, the first of ten children born to the late Jim and Etheleen Toler.

Besides her parents, she was also proceeded in death by her brothers, Jimmy (Buddy) and Steve Toler, and sisters, Sarah Aileen Barnes and Hilda Keene.

She loved the Lord with all her heart and and was known for praising God. She often shared her faith with others. She was proud of her accomplishment of reading the Bible through 12 times in her lifetime. Shirley was a prayer warrior and was an encouragement to others. If you had a prayer request she was the one to call. She often had prayer meetings in her home with her Mom and others. She always made everyone welcome in her home. With the help of her Mom she babysat many children during her life time. She also helped raise many of her nieces and nephews and even her great nieces and nephews. She had a special love for her family.

She loved eating out and loved her stir-fry vegetables and sweet tea. Some of her favorite activities were crossword puzzle books, feeding the birds in the yard and reading her Bible.

She loved to cook, especially in her crockpot. One of her specialties was homemade chicken salad. She would share this with her family and friends.

She touched so many lives in a positive way because she always shared her love for the Lord to everyone she met. She loved to talk about God on the phone with family and friends, even those out-of-state. She loved her family dearly.

Left to cherish her memory are her sisters Faye Ryder (John), Carolyn Eubanks, Janice Richards, Joyce Nolen (Larry), Linda Jernigan, and many extended family members and friends. A very special thank you to her devoted niece, Debbie Barnes, for the extraordinary love, compassion and care she provided over the last six months. Your kindness, support and selfless devotion brought comfort and peace.

Shirley will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her memory will live on in our hearts and her legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026 in Southlawn Memorial Park, 1911 Birdsong Road, S. Prince George, VA 23805. Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.