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FROM THE BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS BY DAVID MONTGOMERY AND MARK GREEN:
ELDER S.T. TOLLEY
(Pictured at Columbia Church, Maryland, early 90's)
Born on September 20, 1929 into the family of Sam L. and Janie E. Tolley, in the county of Gibson, near Milan, Tennessee. Being the youngest of seven children, which included four boys and three girls. My father was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church and mother was a believer but I never learned much about the teachings of the church since my parents did not carry me to church, as they should have. I became acquainted with the Primitive Baptists after I was married to Altie Mae White in the year of 1949. My wife's brother was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and through my contact with him and someothers, I became converted to the truth of the Bible.
There has not been a great change in my life from my early childhood with regard to the matter of spiritual conviction and interest in God, the Creator. In early life, at about the age of six, I would try to preach--not knowing anything about the true teachings of the Bible--but there were sincere thoughts in my heart. Several people had said that I would preach someday but this made no impression on me at the time.
Shortly after becoming acquainted with the Primitive Baptists, I offered myself to the church at Harmony, and at the same time, I told them of my impressions to preach. They received me and gave me opportunity to speak some three times before I was baptized--since there was no ordained minister available for this service. Later I was baptized by my brother-in-law, James White, after he was ordained. The church ordained me on the first Sunday in November 1951 at the age of twentyone.
Since that time I have served several different churches, one of which was my home church, Harmony, which I tried to serve for some 17 years. After a business career of several years, I sold out and begun publishing a religious periodical, THE CHRISTIAN BAPTIST, which I am presently engaged in publishing in addition to my pastoral work. It is my sincere conviction that I should give myself as completely to the work of the ministry as possible.
PBS.ORG Note by Stephen Aquino: Brother S.T. Tolley, while active in the ministry, had a brillant mind for recall on a variety of Christian subjects. While his sermons were always extemporanous his messages were filled with historical detail and Scriptures. He would have been considered well read in areas of Christian doctrine. This accompanied his work as Editor of THE CHRISTIAN BAPTIST. You will at once recognize this by listening to his sermons. It is sad that the final chapter of his life on earth was upon the bed of affliction, but with hope of God's Word, we are thank ful that Brother Tolley was in the company of a faithful and sympathizing High Priest, Jesus Christ the Lord.
The following is from Ronnie Mallow NewsLetter:
The Passing of Elder Samuel Thomas Tolley
September 20, 1929 – December 23, 2015
- Funeral services for Elder Samuel Thomas Tolley, age 86 of Atwood, was held on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at 2pm at Harmony Primitive Baptist Church near Bradford, Tennessee with burial in the Harmony Cemetery. Elder S.T. Tolley was a Primitive Baptist Minister and was a member of the Burns Primitive Baptist Church in Burns, Tennessee
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Surviving family: Sons - Thomas Michael Tolley (Barbara); Daughter - Ellen Lovett (Gary); 2 Grandchildren; 3 Great Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two wives, Sis. Altie Mae Tolley and Sis. Weida White Tolley, three brothers James W. Tolley, Ben D. Tollley and William R. Tolley and three sisters Inez Barksdale, Mary Lane and Ruby Lee Tolley. |
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