"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." -II Timothy 4:6-8

Richard Dwight Toliver passed peacefully into eternal and perpetual rest with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, December 12th, 2020. He was loved and will be missed by many.

Born to the parentage of Dorthy Dell (Murray) and Johnnie Lewis Toliver, was introduced to the world on July 1st, 1950 in Emory, Rains County, Texas. Affectionately known to his family by his middle name, "Dwight", he was a native son of East Texas. He was blood-related to some of the most prominent families in Emory. The McMillans, the Murrays, The Iveys, and the Porters, just to name a few. In Emory, he attended the Sand Flat School, a historic Rosenwald School where his maternal great grandparents were the first African American teachers in the county. After moving to Dallas as a teenager he attended and graduated from Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in 1968.

After graduating, he joined the Army where he served as a Ground Survey Radar Operator. He was honorably discharged after proudly and valiantly serving his country and re-entered private life.

He professed his faith in God at an early age and later became a "teaching preacher". Preferring not to pastor, he felt that his calling was to teach others the Gospel of Jesus Christ and mentor young men. He faithfully served at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church for over 40 years.

An avid cook, his culinary skills in the kitchen, on the barbecue grill and smoker has been enjoyed by many family members, his church family, and friends. He also had a wonderful baritone voice that almost rumbled when he spoke and sang.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Linda Carol Clark Toliver, whom he wed on January 17, 1970. From this union came five children; Tonya Toliver, Joseph Toliver (Stephanie), Daniel Toliver (Cortrinia), Samuel Toliver (Darrah), and Adria Toliver; one brother Jimmy Toliver (Nikki); two sisters, Beverly Brown (Terry) and Sharon Colbert (Norris); ten grandchildren, Terrance Wiley, Steven Hogg Jr., Samuel Toliver, Jr., Jordan Toliver, Jeremy Toliver, Caysen Toliver, It'aly Toliver, Bryce Toliver-McCoo, Blake Toliver-McCoo, and Carrah Rone; ten great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. He is proceeded in death by his mother and father, one brother, Michael Toliver, and one granddaughter, Trinity Danielle Toliver.