Laura Marguerite Barnett Toliver

Laura Marguerite Toliver, age 100 of Roanoke, died Thursday, August 23, 2018 at her home.

Laura Marguerite Barnett Toliver was born August 25, 1917 in Botetourt County and was the daughter of the late John R. and Mary C. Nutter Barnett.

Laura attended the one room school “The Valley” at Lily of the Valley Baptist Church in Fincastle. After marrying Henry, they moved and worked in Hot Springs and Forest. Once they moved to Roanoke, she worked and retired from Shenandoah Life Insurance Company as a cook. Laura joined Lily of the Valley Baptist Church at a very early age and continued to attend and support her church until her health failed. Laura served in many capacities at the church, such as: church clerk, choir member, missionary society and food committees, and served on the deaconess board. She did volunteer work at the Veterans Administration and belonged to the ladies auxiliary of the Veterans Post #1444.

“Aunt Bootsie,” as she was known to her close family and friends, was an outstanding cook and seamstress. She loved cooking her “signature” pound cake, German chocolate cake, yeast rolls, and special egg nog. Aunt Bootsie also made hand-made quilts which will remind others of her talent and devotion for many years to come.

Aunt Bootsie was so proud and honored about being a Barnett, and could remember the many uncles, aunts, and cousins on both sides of her family. In addition to her parents, Laura was preceded in death by her husband Henry T. Toliver, daughter Laura Lavenia Toliver, and two sisters: Dorothy Law Cowan and Blanche B. Ferguson. She is survived by her caring step-daughter Henerietta Lawrence (sons Henry and Sam Davis); devoted nephews and nieces John (Paula) Ferguson, Brenda (Stafford) Lewis, Gloria (Eddie) Bonds, and Edna (Butch) Basham; and special nephews and nieces Edward (JoAnn) Walton, and Sue Hancock. Also there are great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; other relatives, friends; and four special Fairfax god-children.

A home going service for Laura will be 1:00 pm, Tuesday August 28 at Rader Funeral Home, 630 Roanoke Road, Daleville with Reverend Ray Arrington presiding and Rev. Vittoria Devlin as eulogist. Burial will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service Tuesday, beginning at 12:00 noon.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lily of the Valley Baptist Church, Po Box 69, Fincastle, Virginia 24090.

Online condolences may be made to Ms. Toliver’s family at www.rader-funeralhome.com.

Rader Funeral Home

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Laura Marguerite Barnett Toliver, please visit our floral store.