In Loving Memory of Thelma Boyd Toler

⁣Obituary

Thelma (Ann) Boyd Toler, daughter of the late Josephine Boyd Fields and Al Junius Fields was
born November 3, 1937, in Tarboro, North Carolina. She departed this life October 2, 2024, at
Casey House in Rockville, Maryland.


Thelma graduated from the former East Suffolk High School, Class of 1955. She was class
secretary as a freshman and sang in the school choir for four years. Basketball was her
favorite extracurricular activity, and she insisted her granddaughter followed in her footsteps in
the sport.


Thelma enjoyed a 44-year career in the Federal Government as a Small Business Specialist
for the Office of Administration, Executive Office of the President. In that capacity she had
personal contact with multiple First Ladies and enjoyed her role in ensuring their procurement
needs were met. Her professional success was not limited to her day-to-day responsibilities,
rather it was her ability to help others that was the crowning achievement of her life.


It was her tenacity and determination to provide opportunities for others that will be her legacy. At every
opportunity she mentored, supported, encouraged, and advocated for everyone needing a job
to apply for positions in the Federal Government. As their mentor she diligently told them when
it was time to apply for a promotion, go back to school for an advanced degree or pivot to
another industry or department when there was no opportunity for advancement. Many of them
attended her retirement ceremony in 2004 and expressed their appreciation for her efforts.
As a child Thelma attended Tyne Street and First Baptist Mahan Street churches in Suffolk,
Virginia. After relocating to Washington, DC, she joined The Florida Avenue Baptist Church
and later joined The People’s Community Baptist Church.


There she was a member of the Issachar Tribal Family and her beloved Generation 1. She remained active until her recent illness. In addition, she was a Life Member, National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Potomic Valley Section; Past Matron, Zorah Chapter No. 36, Order of the Eastern Star, PHA, Rockville,
Maryland and Honorary Past Imperial Commandress and Past Imperial Deputy for the Desert
of Maryland and, Anwar Court No. 197, Imperial Court of the Daughter of Isis, PHA, Rockville,
Maryland.


Thelma loved her family…and everyone was family. She was the happiest with a house full of
people any day of the week, invited or unexpected. She welcomed international students,
interns, college students and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins into her home.
Thelma was most proud of her three sons: Joel L. Boyd, M.D., Herbert H. Toler, Jr., Ph.D., and
Al David Toler, DDS. She poured her heart and soul into raising them and provided them with
an extraordinary educational and spiritual foundation to ensure their professional and personal
success.

Thelma was preceded in death by her stepbrothers Al Jr. and Walter and stepsister Catherine
and survived by one stepsister Elnor Stagg.


She leaves to cherish her memory and continueher legacy of selfless giving her sons Joel (Cheryl), Herbert Jr. (Erica), Al (Nathalie), grandchildren Kendall (Brian), Kyle (Archana), Kasey, Heather, Halle, Herbert III, Lawrence, Jacob; great-grandchildren Gabrielle, Garrett, Logan and Jermaine; nieces, nephews, cousins,
and a host of other relatives and friends.