Raymond Chanley Tolbert

Raymond Chanley Tolbert, 95, of Holley, Florida went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 7, 2023. He was born on March 13, 1928, to Robert Chanley Tolbert and Mattie Williams Tolbert. Raymond was the baby of nine children along with his twin brother who died as an infant. He was called Baby Ray by many of his family.
He married the love of his life, Bobbie Bray Tolbert and together they raised 5 children. When they first married, he drove a school bus, but he made a career at Eglin Air Force Base working in the supply division for 25 years.
He was an active member of Holley Assembly of God Church where he faithfully served until, he was unable to attend. Ray loved his church and but more importantly he loved Jesus. Ray was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish, hunt and oyster with his sons, grandsons, nephews, and cousins. He was often referred to as "Oysterman". He knew Eglin reservation and East Bay like the back of his hand. He and Bobbie loved to travel with their family and friends.
They spent much of their retired life in the mountains where they had a second home. He loved trout fishing in the mountain streams. Raymond was quite a jokester. He loved to pick on everyone in a funny way and that earned him the nickname "Pick" for which he was most known.
Ray and Bobbie were members of the Santa Rosa Band of the Lower Muskogee and enjoyed attending the gatherings and events, especially the Pow Wows.
Ray was preceded in death by his precious wife, Bobbie Bray Tolbert; parents, Robert Chanley Tolbert, and Martha Cecilia (Mattie) Williams Tolbert; sisters, Lilly Mae, Doodie Pruit and Margie; brothers, Jessie, Grady, Bob, Rayford, and Robert Tolbert; great granddaughter, Shane Tolbert.
He is survived by his children, Steve (Pam) Tolbert, Ricky (Betty) Tolbert, Clayton (Kathryn) Tolbert, Rose (Steve) Mistovich and Becky (Chuck) Houghton; grandchildren, Ray (Michelle) Tolbert, Tracy (CJ) Gibbs, Gail (Tony) Poland, Barry Tolbert, Sheila (Jeff) Ferrell, Laura (Kevin) Bardin, Krista (Gary) Mitchell, Clay (Amanda) Tolbert, Shawn (Ashley) Mistovich, Brandon Mistovich, Chad (Lalo) Houghton; great grandchildren, Zachery (Zoe) Tolbert, Chanley and Asa Poland, Jordan (Taylor) West, Gabrielle and Matthew Bardin, Isabella Ferrell, Tate (Mollye) Tolbert, Seth and Jace Tolbert, Kade and Kole Mitchell, Preston and Pierce Mistovich; great- great grandchildren, Theodore West, and Caroline and Bobbi Claire Tolbert. He was blessed to see 5 generations. He was also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and dear friends. His legacy will live on for generations to come.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at Holley Assembly of God Church, 4006 Fl-87 Navarre, Florida 32566, with visitation from 12:00-1:00pm and service at 1:00. A private burial will be held at Harper Cemetery.
Officiating the services will be family member Keith Smith and Pastor Bo Senterfitt.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the Holley Assembly of God Church in Ray's honor. The church address is 4006 Hwy 87, Navarre, FL 32566.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons and great grandsons.
Honorary pallbearers: Randall Blankenship, Gordon Goodin, Johnny Tolbert, Bill Timlin, Mickey Broxson, Michael Parker, Ronnie Jernigan, Joey Tolbert, Danny and Donnie Hawkins, Gene Sullivan, Ted Tolbert, Clay Broxson, Jimmy and Jack Stephens, Max Williams, Frankie Paulk, John Tolbert, Jamie Morrison, Terry Wallace and David Bubba Cox.
The family would like to acknowledge with sincere appreciation Ray's caregivers Shana Bailey and Pam Tolbert and recognize Covenant Hospice for their support, care, and assistance.
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