Thelma Tolbert ,98, passed away on July 16, 2026 at Jurney’s Assisted Living of Statesville.

The daughter of the late Thomas Percy Loftin and Banie Lee Lytton Loftin, she grew up in a close knit community on East Monbo Road in the Troutman area. On December 10, 1949 she married Stanley E. Tolbert who preceded her in death in 1988. Thelma graduated from Troutman High School and Davis Hospital School of Nursing. Following graduation she worked as a Registered Nurse at Davis Hospital for over 30 years.

A long time faithful member of Cleveland First Baptist Church , she especially enjoyed friendships with the ladies in her Sunday School class. She also enjoyed piecing quilt tops , reading, working in her yard and keeping in touch with friends and family through calls , greeting cards and handwritten notes.

She is survived by three children, Gerald E. Tolbert ( Candy ), Linda L. Tolbert and Robert Dale Tolbert; one great granddaughter , Eden Oliver (Jef) ; sister, Marty Kirby and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her granddaughter Kari Tolbert Oates, brother Forrest Loftin and sisters, Hazel Tolbert , Virginia Overcash, Eugenia Loftin and Judith Loftin.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County , Cleveland First Baptist Church in Cleveland NC or, the charity of your choice.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Jurney’s of Statesville and Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County for the kind and loving care they provided.

She will lie in state Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at Nicholson Funeral Home from 10AM till 4PM. 

A graveside service will be held at 11AM Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Pastor Keith Mason Officiating.