Morris Odell Toliver

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3


Morris Odell Toliver went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 15, 2020, at the Fredericksburg Health and Rehabilitation Nursing Home, Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was born April 1, 1933, to the late John Morris Toliver and Rosetta McDowney Toliver. Morris grew up in the Maple Grove community of Colonial Beach, Virginia. Morris confessed his faith and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and joined Macedonia Baptist Church, in the home community, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Nurney K. Mason.

He was born with limb impairments in both legs and spent many of his early childhood years as a patient at St. Phillips Hospital, Richmond, Virginia. When he returned home, after several surgeries, he was able to walk with the use of full leg braces. He was homeschooled and went on to achieve a certificate in tailoring from the J. L. Loving, School of Tailoring, Richmond, Virginia in June 1952. He could make just about anything and excelled in home products and apparel alterations. He was also an excellent cook and loved preparing family meals and other delicacies. His fried chicken, rice pudding, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese were top-notch. He was a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He had a quick smile, was loving, caring, and highly regarded. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Rosetta Toliver; sisters, Violet Parker, Margie Payton, and Mary Smith, and brother, John L. Toliver.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his niece and caregiver Johanna Payne (George) Colonial Beach, VA; three sisters, Roberta Brooks (Willie), Lanham, MD; Mildred Reed, Upper Marlboro, MD; and Shirley Dowell (James), Hampton, VA; sister-in-law, Odessa Toliver, Hyattsville, MD; two brothers-in-law, Charles S. Parker, King George, VA and Reverend Charles Payton, Colonial Beach, Virginia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.


“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” 2 Timothy 4:7