OBITUARY: Anita Louise Tolbert (Townsend)

Anita Louise Tolbert (Townsend), 82, of Newton, passed away March 12, 2021, at Asbury Park in Newton with family and lifelong friend Hilda at her side.

Anita was born Feb. 5, 1939, in Newton to Samuel and Elizabeth (Gray) Townsend. She married Herbert Tolbert in 1958 in Newton, Ks. She worked as an LPN at Halstead Nursing Hospital, St. Francis, and was a Crew Chief at Hesston Corp. for many years, before retiring from the VA Hospital as a Admission Nurse for 25 years.

Anita enjoyed spending time with family and friends. In her earlier years she played softball, and was a avid bowler. During the holidays she would open her doors to Bethel College  students that didn’t have a place to go and make meals for them. She was active in the Newton community and was a member of AME Church. She loved dressing up and going out to nice restaurants for dinner. She especially loved her Popeyes chicken, you always knew that would put a smile on her face.

She is survived by three sons, Herbert (Ted) Tolbert II of Newton, Michael Tolbert of Newton, and Les Tolbert of Wichita; 12 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren; sister Teresa Foster of Newton, and Brother Galen Townsend of Wichita. And her lifelong friend Hilda Cerday. Anita was preceded in death by her parents; husband;2 brothers,  Daughter Patricia (Tolbert) Coleman; son Raymond Tolbert, son Vernon Tolbert and Grandson Preston Tolbert.

Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. March 16 at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton with Pastor Larry Lee presiding over the service.

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