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Kenneth Toombs Obituary
Mr. Toombs was a native of Colonial Heights, Va., the son of the late Garnett E. Toombs and Willie Sue Toombs of Colonial Heights, Va. Mr. Toombs was preceded in death by two brothers, E. Calvin Toombs, Petersburg, Va., Carlton O. Toombs, Colonial Heights, Va., and two sisters, Elsie T. Eason, Chesterfield County and Gladys T. Miller, Fort Pierce, Fla.
Mr. Toombs served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. He was a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College and Polytechnic Institute. He earned a master's degree in history from the University of Virginia and a master's degree in library science from Rutgers University. He completed post graduate studies towards a doctorate degree while on staff at Louisiana State University.
Mr. Toombs began an illustrious library career at Louisiana State University in 1956. He later became Director of Libraries at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In 1967, he was named Director of Libraries at the University of South Carolina where he dedicated himself until 1988 when he retired as Director Emeritus of the USC Library System. Mr. Toombs served as co-founder of the Southeastern Library Network, and received the Rothrock Award, the highest honor of the Southeastern Library Association for his contribution to the Solinet System. He was known nationally as an academic library building consultant.
Surviving are his wife, Teresa; daughters, Susan Shealy, Cheri Morris and Teresa Heilman; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Memorials may be made to the Kenneth E. Toombs Fellowship Fund in Library Information and Science at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, the Alzheimer's Association, Chicago, IL 60601-7633, or the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, New York, NY 10018.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Toombs
MS.DENISE CLAY
March 20, 2008
God Saw You
God saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped his arms around you,
and whispered, "Come to me".
You didn't deserve what you went through,
So He gave you rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best
And when I saw you sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain
I could not wish you back
To suffer that again.
My prayers and thoughts are with you during this challenging time. Be encouraged that God will definitely sustain you, comfort you, and see you through. He continues to do that me and my family, and will undoubtedly do the same for you. Love you all. God bless!
CORIA KING
March 20, 2008
If tears could build a stairway
And memories were a lane,
I would walk right up to heaven
To bring you home again.
No farewell words were spoken.
No time to say good-bye.
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knows why.
My heart still aches in sadness
And secret tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you,
No one will ever know.
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of your during this time. Though words seem inadequate, may this heartfelt message bring some comfort and encouragement and may your memories bring you comfort and peace.
ROBERT ALVIN THOMAS
March 20, 2008
The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
KENNY AND RITA JOHNSON
March 20, 2008
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.
PENNY AND BECKY WRIGHT
March 20, 2008
The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.
HELEN WRIGHT
March 20, 2008
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
HENDERSON FAMILY
March 20, 2008
Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
MILLER FAMILY
March 20, 2008
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008
KENNETH MOSS
March 20, 2008
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
Be Still
Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.
Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.
If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.
JERRY AND LINDA REYNOLDS
March 20, 2008
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
DENISE REYNOLDS
March 20, 2008
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
EVANS FAMILY
March 20, 2008
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help at this time.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
KAYLA THOMPSON
March 20, 2008
Warm Summer Sun
Warm summer sun,
Shine kindly here,
Warm southern wind,
Blow softly here.
Green sod above,
Lie light, lie light.
Good night, dear heart,
Good night, good night.
By Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens)
The Poetry Foundation
Music, when soft voices die
Music, when soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory—
Odours, when sweet violets sicken,
Live within the sense they quicken.
Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,
Are heaped for the belovèd's bed;
And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,
Love itself shall slumber on.
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