Toby Matthew McLaurin

WADESBORO - On Sunday, October 5, 2025, Mr. Toby Matthew McLaurin 47, cherished father, son, brother, uncle and friend, passed away at the home of his parents.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 11, 2025, at First Baptist Church, Lee Avenue in Wadesboro. Interment will follow in Anson Memorial Park.

The family will greet friends from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Friday, October 10, 2025, at Leavitt Funeral Home and other times at the home of his parents.

Because Toby had an affinity for cool shoes and knew they had to be just right for his clothes, the family asks that those who attend the service wear their coolest shoes.

Toby was born February 3, 1978, in Anson County, NC and was a son of Donald Joe McLaurin and Frankie Lineberry McLaruin. He was 1996 graduate of Anson High School.

While in high school, Toby excelled in athletics. He played both football and baseball and held the record for weightlifting squats 645 pounds in 1995. He was proud to say he still held that record 30 years later.

Coaching little league baseball in Morven helped to spark his love for children. He was not only their coach, but he was also their friend and often served as their transportation to and from practice and games.

Following graduation from high school, Toby attended University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he earned a bachelor's degree in health and physical education K-12 and later earned a Master of Arts in Education Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix.

Toby’s career in education is extensive and one of which he was proud. He was first employed with Anson County Schools as the Health and PE teacher and Assistant Principal at Wadesboro Elementary School, he was later the Health and PE teacher and Assistant Principal Peachland Polkton Elementary School. He served as Assistant Principal at Anson Middle School. He served as Principal at Ansonville Elementary School, where under his leadership the overall testing scores for the school were raised, an accomplishment for which he was most proud. Following his time at Ansonville he served as Principal at Wadesboro Primary School.

After working with the Anson County Schools, he worked with Stanly County Schools, serving as Assistant Principal at South Stanly Middle School and later as Principal of Albemarle High School.

Toby chose to take a break from school administration and was employed with Union County Schools, as football coach at Piedmont High School in Monroe, strength training, and football coach at Forest Hills High School in Marshville and later teaching at Walter Bickett Elementary School in Monroe.

He was currently employed with Montgomery County Schools as Assistant Principal at Montgomery Central High in Troy. He also worked part-time as a group home supervisor with Monarch Services in Union County.

Toby loved coaching football. The involvement and investment in the lives of the school kids was what meant the most to him. He would often hear from his students and players even after they finished high school and were into their adult lives. This has always brought extraordinary joy to his life.

He loved children and would do anything for them. He had a gift for working with children with special needs. He did all he could to promote the children in their activities and looked for the good in all individuals.

He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and always insisted on rooting for the underdog.

He was an animal lover. He always had a dog and his labs, Deuce and Champ, both crossed the rainbow bridge and were perhaps among those who greeted him in heaven. He dearly loved his cats, Best Friend, and Cheetoh.

For Toby, of all his life accomplishments, being Leah’s dad was his greatest. To say he loved his little girl was an understatement. If you asked him about her, his eyes would light up, and his grin would be huge. He taught her everything, especially playing volleyball and softball. She is indeed her daddy’s princess, and he was her knight in shining armor.

Those who are left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Leah McLaurin; his parents, Don and Frankie McLaurin; his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Josh and Crystal McLaurin; his sister and brother-in-law, Dr. Mindi and Mike Illig; his nieces and nephew, Sophie Illig, Cheyenne Morton and husband, Ethan and Hunter Douglas and his aunt, Mary Lynn Ross.

He also leaves his extended family of cousins, friends, students, and colleagues

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to, The Toby McLaurin Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 423, Wadesboro, NC 28170 or by giving online https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/1302631.

To honor Toby’s memory, take time to make a difference in the life of a child.

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com