Jeanette "Jan" Tolbert

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San Jose State University

Jeanette Tolbert Obituary

Jeanette "Jan" Tolbert Oct. 10, 1933 - Nov. 30, 2005

Visitation Services will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2005 for Jeanette Tolbert, 72, who died Wednesday, November 30, 2005. Jeanette "Jan" was born in Galveston, Texas, and was previously a resident of Los Angeles, California. She lived in San Jose, California from 1970 to 1994 when she moved to Salinas, with her husband, James Addicott.

Jeanette "Jan" received her Bachelors of Science from San Jose State University as well as her Master's degree. Jeanette "Jan" worked for Santa Clara County as an Administrative Registered Nurse and retired in 1996.

She was a member of Shine Community Church of Castroville, California. She enjoyed getting together with her foreign relations reading group for discussion. She was an artist and loved painting. She loved music of all kinds and was an avid reader. She loved traveling and visited Africa, Israel, France, and a number of other foreign countries.

Jeanette "Jan" is survived by her children, Hari Antionette Harvey and Carol Jean Ellzey, both of Sacramento, California. She leaves her granddaughter Holly Wilkerson and her husband Malik Abdul-Khaliq, and her great granddaughters Kamina and Kayla Wilkerson, who held a special place in her heart, all of Elk Grove, California. She is also survived by her three (3) sisters Barbara Ann Harris of Lathrop, California, Evelyn Marie Tolbert of Tracy, California, and Carolyn Dolores Sherrod. She is survived by four (4) brothers Johnnie Broadway III of Hamtramck, Michigan, James Leo Broadway of San Jose, California, El Hajj Malik of Lathrop, California, and Robert Earl Broadway. She leaves numerous nephews and nieces that she loved and that will miss her dearly. Jeanette "Jan" loved her family and cherished her friends. She will be remembered as a loving mother, wonderful grandmother, beloved great grandmother "Bibi", and a good friend to many.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, James R. Addicott on January 8, 1995, her son Spencer Albert Carter on October 20, 1977, and her son Richard Carter on September 19, 1973.

Saturday's Visitation Services will be observed from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Jones Mortuary Chapel, 660 Donohoe Street, East Palo Alto, California. Interment will be private.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2005 at Shine Community Church, 11351 Geil Street, Castroville, California.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News on Dec. 8, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Jeanette Tolbert

Sponsored by El-Hajj Malik, Sr..

13 Entries

Holly Wilkerson

January 9, 2006

My grandmother (Mama) has left a legacy that is the very embodiment of what it means to be a "woman". The way she lived her life epitomized the very standard that I wish to emulate by being spiritual, giving, nurturing, loving, forgiving, and caring. I will also remember her graceful manner, intelligence, and strength which are to be admired.

There are so many things that I will miss about Mama but I think our long talks in which she would share her endless wisdom are the most dear to me. I cherish those talks and will keep them in the forefront of my memory.

I am immensely thankful that my children, Kamina and Kayla, were able to enjoy so many different experiences with their great-grandmother (BiBi). These experiences are now treasures for them to draw on throughout their lives. I am also thankful that my husband, Malik, was able to receive Mama's wealth of greatness.

Although I love and miss her dearly, I find peace in knowing that Mama is with God in the most beautiful place possible and she is no longer suffering in any way. This fact warms my heart but I will always remember her as being in a "class of her own".

Sheryl Atkins

January 4, 2006

Unique, poised, gracious, encouraging and strong are just a few words that come to mind when I think of my Aunt Jan. Growing up, I can remember wanting to be just like her. Always watching how she carried herself, awed by her quiet grace and dignity and always a feeling of pride when similarities or comparisons to Aunt Jan were made. But Aunt Jan was in fact unique; there will never be another like her. She had a way of touching people, making us all feel special and unique in our own right. When I look at Jan’s family, all those who are my family too, I can still see her, a little bit of her in each and every one of us. We’ve all obtained something from her, something that she left with us to carry on. She will be missed, but never forgotten. I love you Aunt Jan.

Yvette Scott

December 15, 2005

To the family of my friend & confidant, "Jan" Tolbert!

Once in a while the Lord sends a precious gift to His children. He wraps them up in human flesh, sets an appointed time, then says our time is up. This is what He did for me when I met Jan. We often sent cards to each other that said, "I thank God for the gift of your friendship".

Many will say that you have loss your mother, sister, grandmother, great greatmother, et.al. I feel a deep void. But we did not lose Jan. The Lord called her home. The last e-mail I received from her dated 8/29 attested to this. She said that God has been good to her. Take heart. We will see her again in Heaven.

Her spirit lives on in the hearts of many. She was a beautiful spirit. She loved all her children. EVERY LAST ONE. And I know you will miss her. The Creator, The Giver of Life, The one who gives good and perfect gifts decided she had taken as much as she could bear in THIS LIFE AND called her home. We want her back. She wouldn't come back. We talked about this b4. She is resting...and I know without a doubt that my friend's soul 'IS ANCHORED IN THE LORD"

I am praying for you as I pray for myself.

Yvette Scott-Glasgow

Janelle Cotton

December 10, 2005

"We'll miss seeing her face

Her poise and her grace

With her soft spoken words

She encouraged our hearts"

– J. Cotton

I never took advantage of the opportunity to get to know my great aunt, Jan. She must have been a special lady, because my mom calls me "Jan" as well. The thing I remember most vividly was five or so years ago when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Jan mailed me a card congratulating me. Her words were encouraging and full of love.

I am so thankful I was able to make it out to Monterey a little over a year ago, to be included in the family picture. Shortly after the trip to Monterey, at a family get together at Cousin Carol’s house, was the last time I saw Aunt Jan. However, I am comforted by my faith in knowing that I will see her again some day. "Save a seat next to Jesus for me, Aunt Jan. Hallelujah!"

Soleng Tom MD

December 10, 2005

I had the pleasure of working with Jan years ago in San Mateo County For the patients she touched and the coworkers she helped she will always be remembered for her spirit and compassion. Condolences to her family.

Soleng Tom

James Broadway

December 9, 2005

It was Jan who gave me the special nick-name "Brother". My special nick-name for her was "Jean". We both had a special bond that originated when I was 3 years old. She was one who I could talk to about any subject, anywhere, and anytime. We shared a lot of good times together, and I will miss her dearly. As with all my brothers and sisters, she knew that I loved her. I am happy that she is at rest, and we will see each other soon. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalms 116:15

E. Malik, Sr

December 9, 2005

As with all my sisters, Jan was a major influence in my life. I love and miss her.

Carolyn Sherrod

December 9, 2005

My earliest memory of Jan was when I was about 5 or 6 years old. My other 2 older sisters had gotten into a heated argument which led to a physical fight. Jan came over to restore the peace. As I grew older I recognized that she was the peace-keeper in the family. I shared a few great moments with her but not as many as I would have liked because I was the baby girl of the family. Even though she was my big sister, I always respected her as a second mom. She will always be in my heart.

LaTisha Broadway

December 9, 2005

I remember Aunt Jan as always being well-dressed, well-spoken, and refined. I remembered she spoke softly as her mother, my grandmother did. We don't hear the word "lady" being spoken often nowadays, but Aunt Jan emulated that quality from my grandmother. She will be missed dearly.

Charles Bowens

December 9, 2005

Jan was always one of those relatives I wanted to spend more time with. I thrive on intelligence, calmness, and common sence which she had plenty of. It is unfortunate we did not get to spend time just talking. I will always keep the book she sent me and read it daily thinking of her.

Darlene Taylor

December 9, 2005

I was married to Jan's little brother Robert Broadway or (Bobbie) as she and I called him and Jan and I had an opportunity to get close. I really love Jan and found myself always feeling so priviledged because she really liked me. Every time I was around Jan I learned something from her. She was the most truly unique individual I had the opportunity to learn to know and love. I was so proud because Jan did not know how to swim and we had discussed this in Hawaii when we all went on a trip together. She was very leary of the water and I told her that I have an extensive background in swimming and racing and that I could teach her. She had never been able to trust anyone to teach her and she allowed me to teach her and I got to witness her actually swimming for the first time. The last time I spoke with Jan was at Pop Broadway's funeral and we talked for a long time.It had been a long time since we had seen each other and we just took up where we had left off like all of that time had never passed . She just gave such a nice bright positive energy to me and I believe that I had probably more respect for her than I have felt for others in my lifetime. I had some issues that really bothered me when I was married to Robert and Jan gave me some knowledge that I have carried with me for the rest of my life about prejudice and ignorance and I have definitely paid it forward to other people. I love her and I will miss her being in this strange place with us. God bless her and keep her.

Evelyn Tolbert

December 9, 2005

She was the only person with whom I have ever shared a secret. She was my friend for over 50 years. She was my sister.

Wallace and Gwendolyn Sears

December 8, 2005

My greatest memory of "Mom" is that of her unique style,ambiance and love of God and for her family(especially her grand and great grandchildren.) Her passion for adventure and comfort within herself was that to be admired. She had a critiqued manor about herself that was in a class of her own. My admiration for her was only to be desired. Over my many years of knowing her I've learned alot from her about myself, understanding people,reuniting my faith in God and love of life and living it to the fullest (as she definately did.) She is a women that will forever be etched in my mind, heart and sole. Sincerely,

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