Funeral services for Robert Sylvester Toles, 98 year-old Weatherford, Oklahoma resident, will be held Tuesday, August 12, 2014, 10:30 A.M. at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, south of Hydro, Oklahoma with Rev. Joe Sanders and Rev. Terry Flansburg officiating. Burial will follow at Poage Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home.

On May 3, 1916, two little girls, Lois Annlue and Odessa Mae, welcomed a baby brother in Sulphur Springs, Texas as Robert Sylvester Toles was born to Joseph Asberry Toles and Mary Ila Rosella Lumpkin Toles. In less than two years, their lives would all change drastically as Joseph was killed in a farm accident.

Times were hard as the little family struggled to make ends meet. Because of this, Robert was forced to help the family and had very little formal education. His sister, Lois, died when he was only eleven. But Robert was a scrapper. His education was gained through experience and hard work. His mathematics skills continued to amaze family and friends until just a short time before his death.

When his mother met and married Thomas Earnest Hamilton, the family settled in Oklahoma just a short distance from Pleasant Valley School. It was here his life would unfold and he would grow roots in the Caddo County soil.

Robert gained a new brother, William (Billy) Earnest Hamilton, and many friends. One of those friends, Joe Robbins, would introduce him to the love of his life Gladys Irene Robbins. On January 11, 1937, Robert and Irene became husband and wife in Anadarko. To this union were born four girls; Margie Irene, Carlyon Levon, Sharran Kay, and Linda Sue.

Robert and Irene farmed and eventually settled in the Pleasant Valley community. During a revival at the Pleasant Valley schoolhouse in 1947, Robert and his oldest daughter, Margie, accepted Jesus as their Savior. Irene was already a Christian and joined the church along with Robert and Margie. Again, life would change drastically. The family helped in the building of the new Pleasant Valley Baptist church and Robert, Irene and Margie became charter members. Robert served in the church throughout his life in many areas, including as a deacon and song leader.

In 1949, Robert began driving a propane truck for Freutching and Fast. Because of his winning smile and willingness to help those in need, many a lifelong friend resulted from his service. He and Irene built a house in Weatherford and the family, minus Margie, moved to Weatherford in 1954. Margie had married and would later move to the same farm where she had grown up.

The following years were filled with love and laughter, hard work and tears. Sons-in-law, then grandchildren, then great grand children expanded the family circle. Robert and Irene became Papa and Gaga not only to their family, but to many friends. Papa taught, by example, the value of hard work, the love of family and most of all the importance of a Christian life.

After forty years of driving the truck, Robert retired and he and Irene traveled across the country and even into Canada with the Good Sams and Allegro camping clubs until he lost his beloved wife on July 4, 2000.

Robert enjoyed traveling, bowling and taught many a grandchild and great grandchild how to count by playing dominoes and moon.

Robert left this earth on August 7, 2014 to join his Savior. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene, a daughter, Carlyon Levon, a son-in-law, Raymond Lawles, a great granddaughter, Dawn Rae Freeman, his father Joseph, and mother, Mary Ila, his sisters, Lois Toles and Odessa Toles Hixon, and half brother, Billy Hamilton.

He is survived by daughters, Margie Irene Lawles, Hydro, Sharran Kay Brite and husband, Darrell, Frederick, and Linda Sue Heathington and husband, Joe, Bonham, Texas and son-in-law, Pat Dunn and wife, Pam, Weatherford; grandchildren, Deborah Rae Thurman and husband, Clint and Cynthia Renea Monroe and husband, Randy, all of Walters; Shawn Denise Blagowsky and husband, Brett, Plano, Texas; Kirk Wayne Brite and wife, Toni of Marlow; Shane Melinda Smith and husband, Orlean, McAlester; Sonya Dawn Thompson and husband, Larry, Prosper, Texas; Jimmy Don Heathington and wife, Brittanie, McKinney, Texas; Robby Glyn Brite, and wife, Carla, Frederick and Shannon Lynn Johnson and husband, Rex, Arcadia, twenty-one great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren, bonus grandchildren, and friends.

The family would like to thank Corn Heritage for the excellent care and kindness extended to us and our loved one.