James Douglas Tolbert

Rogersville: James Douglas Tolbert, age 93, of Rogersville, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Signature Health Care of Rogersville after a period of declining health. He was born in Humboldt, TN. Jim grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He served in the U.S. Navy in the European Theater during WW II. While stationed in Norfolk, Virginia he met Frances Armstrong who was from Rogersville and was serving in the U.S. Navy. They were married at the Jung Hotel in New Orleans, August 1946. Jim worked as a supermarket chain executive in various locations in the United States, Puerto Rico and Caracas, Venezuela. Upon retiring, Jim and Frances moved to Rogersville where he purchased his beloved farm. He started out with a hobby greenhouse, growing orchids for his wife Frances. This developed into Tolbert's Garden Center, growing the most beautiful plants, specializing in geraniums. He loved his farm and enjoyed the bountiful wildlife. His one disappointment was not seeing a black bear on the farm. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Foard Armstrong Tolbert and son, James (Jimmy) Armstrong Tolbert .

Survivors include his son, Robert "Bob" Tolbert and wife, Ren of Rogersville; granddaughters, Lindsey Cornett and husband Jimmy of Bristol, TN and Ashley Bailey of Johnson City; great-grandsons, Skyler Knox Tolbert Bailey and Jimmy "June" Ray Cornett, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Sherry Tolbert of Rogersville; and great-grandnieces, Summer Jackson and Ashlyn Jackson.

A very special thank you to Signature Healthcare of Rogersville for their kindness and excellent care given to "Papo" during his illness.

Graveside service will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday, June 2, 2019 at Highland Cemetery with Rev. Rodney Norris officiating.

Memorials may be sent to Rogersville Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund, 309 West Kyle St,, Rogersville, TN 37857 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142

Online condolences may be made at www.broomefuneralhome.com

Broome Funeral Home, Rogersville is honored to serve the Tolbert family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Douglas Tolbert, please visit our floral store.