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Obituaries

Obituary for Elizabeth Brownlee Barger Tolley Elizabeth Brownlee Barger Tolley
"Granny" Had Beautiful Spirit; Dies At Age 100

Elizabeth Brownlee Barger Tolley, 100, of Natural Bridge Station, passed from his life on Sunday, July 22, 2007.

She was the widow of Charles Lloyd Tolley who passed away in 1974.

She was born September 13, 1906 in Rural Valley, Rockbridge County, a daughter of the late Edward Preston Barger and Rebecca Estelle McClelland Barger.

She became a member of the High Bridge Presbyterian Church five days past her fifteenth birthday, and has been a lifetime member there.

"Granny" "Bettie" graduated from Natural Bridge High School in 1924 and was married in 1925. She traveled quite a bit over the eastern U.S. as her husband's jobs took them to many different locations.

While raising her children, and helping her husband manage Chiles-Barger General Merchandising, she became known for her generous spirit. She greeted people into the store with her sweet, unpretentious smile, accepting people and events as they were.

Her special gift of hospitality and friendship has been freely given throughout her life. She welcomed all visitors, sending them home filled to the brim with her beautiful spirit.

Granny was a woman of solid faith and took seriously the responsibility of preserving her Presbyterian heritage for present and future generations. Granny supported the missions and work of the church in any capacity for which she felt led. For her life of quiet love, cheerful perseverance, and steady stewardship, she was presented with the PW Honorary life Certificate in September, 1994.

She was a former member of the Home Extension Club and Order of the Eastern Star.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by nine siblings and two daughters, Jeanne Tolley Bourne and Susan Tolley.

She is survived by five sons: Charles P. Tolley (Elsie Lee) of Gloucester; Edward Tolley (Nance) of Buchanan; Carl Tolley (Betty) and Brownlee Tolley (Gayle) of Natural Bridge Station; and Stephen Tolley (Kim) of Athens, Alabama; two daughters: Nancy Hostetter (Ken) of Lexington and Doris Trussell (Bill) of Fairfax; 24 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, one great great grandson; numerous neices and nephews and many friends who knew and loved "Granny."

A worship service in celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at the High Bridge Presbyterian Church with Dr. Louis A. Skidmore officiating. Burial will follow in the High Bridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the High Bridge Presbyterian Church, 67 High Bridge Church Road, Natural Bridge, Virginia 24578. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at the Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, Virginia.