Betty Jo Tolbert

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Church, 875 S Walnut, Cookeville, Tennessee on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 6:00PM. Visitation will take place Saturday March 8, 2025 at New Zion Pentecostal Church, Philadelphia, Mississippi 10:00AM-1:00PM, with funeral services to follow. The Reverends Josh Hodum, Randall Dunaway, and Michael Hook offiating. Burial will be held at Henry’s Chapel, Philadelphia, Mississippi.

Betty Jo “Nanny” Tolbert peacefully entered the Kingdom of God on February 28, 2025, surrounded by her family. Betty was a woman of God in every aspect of her life. She was always the first to lift up another in prayer, offer a hand to anyone in need, and taught everyone she met about the Gospel. Betty spent her life as a devoted wife and mother; a matriarch to her family. “Nanny,” as she was affectionately called by all who knew her, spent her time on this Earth as a true follower of Christ.

Betty was born April 29, 1932 in Philadelphia, Mississippi and married her husband Norman Lane Tolbert on February 17, 1951. She impacted hundreds of lives teaching children and sharing her experiences with God at New Zion Pentecostal Church, Philadelphia, Mississippi; United Pentecostal Church, Prichard, Alabama; River of Life Church, Harrisburg, Illinois; Generations Church, Waukesha, Wisconsin; and First Church, Cookeville, Tennessee.  Betty devoted time to her local churches and had a heart dedicated to the Great Commission; praying over and encouraging pastors, missionaries, and those that serve in the mission field.

Betty was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Norman Lane Tolbert; dear grandmother Maggie Wigley; parents Myrtle and Cecil B. Dunn; brothers Haroce, Billy, and Bobby Dunn; sisters Helen Rose Dunn and Donna Lee (Dunn) Snow; beloved grandson Matthew Smock, and special aunt Wellye Lewis, who led Betty to her relationship with Christ.

Betty is survived by her sister Juanita (Dunn) McGee; children Rose (Michael) Hook and Martha (John) Smock; grandchildren Michaela (Rodney) Gygax, Ashley (Philip) Blaylock, and Amanda (Elijah) Alvey; great grandchildren Caleb (Elly) Willmann, Kayla Willmann, and Ethan Willmann, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Betty is also survived by a large church family who she cared for like her biological family. The family would ask that those who knew her would rejoice in the memories and love that Betty shared.

Pallbearers will be Caleb Willmann, Ethan Willmann, Rodney Gygax, John Smock, Phillip Blaylock and Stanley Tolbert.