Doris Kelley Tolar

Abingdon, Virginia

Doris Kelley Tolar

Doris met her Holy Savior face-to-face on Saturday, July 12, 2025 (age 89) at English Meadows Assisted Living in Abingdon, VA. 

Doris was born in Durham, NC. She was a devoted spouse, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Doris lived a life defined by love! She treasured her family with an abundance of love! She was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA), excelled in creating celebrations for her family (Christmas, birthdays, etc.), was an extraordinary cook, had a passion for the beach (where she was raised for much of her early life), and worked as a full-time Registered Nurse in an era when women were often pressured to be a stay-at-home spouse.

Upon graduating High School, she felt called to become a missionary for the causes of Jesus Christ through the Presbyterian Church. She met Robert Tolar, Sr., they were married, and she became a missionary by raising & financially supporting her family and by serving Christ’s Church for over 65 years. She graduated from Wilson School of Nursing (Wilson, NC) and served as a nurse (Cardiac Intensive Care) for 30+ years.

She is preceded in death by her husband Rev. Robert (Bob) Tolar, Sr., her parents Larry and Gladys (Blalock) Kelley (Kinston, NC); sister Peggy Kelley Sutton (Kinston, NC); and sister Deborah Kelley Chase (Virgil) of Kinston, NC.

Doris and husband Bob shared a committed married life of 65 years. She is survived by her children, Rev. Robert R. Tolar, Jr. (Paige L. Tolar) of Grove City, Ohio, Donna Tolar Jarvis of Abingdon, VA, and Paul K. Tolar (Elizabeth) of Staunton, VA. Grandchildren include Mackenzie Jarvis Love (Nathan), Rev. Erin Tolar, Elizabeth Tolar Cash (Trent), Tobey Robert Tolar, Vale Tolar, and Gavin Tolar. Great-grandchildren include Freya Love (Mackenzie and Nathan Love). Special friends include Fred, Gypsy, and Zac Holt of Abingdon, VA and Sarah Evers of Lynchburg, VA.

A memorial service will be held at Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, 136 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA on Saturday, July 26 – 10am visitation, 11am worship service, and 12pm reception at the home of Fred & Gypsy Holt. All are invited.

In lieu of flowers, please send monetary gifts to Massanetta Springs Presbyterian Conference Center, 712 Massanetta Springs Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801; or Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, 136 East Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210.

To share memories of Doris Kelley Tolar, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Doris has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion VA 24354.