Roger Tolbert

James Roger Tolbert, Jr., 43, of Statesville, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2012 at Iredell Memorial Hospital. He was born in Iredell County on March 11, 1968, the son of James R. Tolbert, Sr. and the late Olean Mason Tolbert. He was the grandson of the late Herbert Booth Tolbert and Mary Elizabeth Stikeleather Tolbert, as well as William McKinley Mason and Ollie Duncan Mason. He was a graduate of South Iredell High School, Mitchell Community College and Western Carolina University where he received his degree in Biology. He was a teacher assistant at Western Carolina where he was recognized by Pi Gamma Mu honor society for his fisheries research, which remains in the archives of the university. He did post graduate work at UNC-Wilmington in Marine Biology. He was self employed by Tri-County Teck. In addition to his father, he is survived by an aunts, Shirley Anne Tolbert, Flossie Mason and Phyllis Ruth Mason; cousins, Conley Sage, Carolyn Tolbert Jordan (Rev. Carroll), Homer Brown Tolbert, Jr. (Ann), Carl Preston Tolbert, Sr. (Mary), Glen, Michael and Stephanie Jordan, Angie Tolbert Cherry, Preston Tolbert, Catherine Tolbert Davis and Michael and Richard Jordan. Roger participated as a missionary to Malaysia in conjunction with Bethel Baptist Church. Funeral services for Mr. Tolbert will be conducted 2:00 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2011 at Bethel Baptist Church, East Monbo Road. Officiating will be Rev. Carroll Jordan, Rev. Brian Rangler and Rev. Joe Woodward. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Nicholson Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries . Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.