Elbert Douglas Tolley, Jr.

Elbert Douglas Tolley, Jr, 79, of Punta Gorda, Florida, died on Sunday, January 17, 2021 quietly in his home with his children and wife by his side after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic and liver cancer 10 days earlier.  Doug, known by many as Junior, grew up on the banks of the Cedar Creek and the James River in Gilmore Mills in Natural Bridge Station, Va.  Doug went to Natural Bridge High School and was an electrical technician employed by Georgia-Pacific Paper Mill in Big Island, Va. for 41 years.  Doug moved to Lynchburg, Va. in 1994 and later moved to Punta Gorda, Fl., where he spent the last years of his life with his dear wife enjoying the warm southwest coast and the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Doug was a devout Christian and a very proud father and grandfather.  His family and God were the closest to his heart.  He was an avid lover of music of all types and a talented musician himself with a beautiful voice.  In 1972 Doug and his first wife, Dianna Perkins, formed a band, The Gospel Strings, consisting of his children and other family members among others.  Doug was the lead vocalist and many remember his beautiful voice as the band played in many churches in all surrounding areas during the seventies.  In his later years he became quite the artisan with his woodworking and stained glass projects.  In Doug’s last years, he loved taking walks with his wife and favorite little Schnauzer companion along the ocean waters of the bay but deeply cherished his visits back to the mountains of Virginia to visit his children, grandchildren and brothers.

Doug is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Tolley of Punta Gorda, Fl.; his children, Richard (Richie) and Lynn Tolley, of Lynchburg, Jeff and Leslie Tolley of Natural Bridge, Victoria (Vicki) and Jason Black of Natural Bridge; grandchildren Nathan and Lindsey Tolley of Hampton, Emily Pittman of Lynchburg, Chase and Bishop Tolley of Natural Bridge, Thomas, Charlie and Julianna Black of Natural Bridge; great grandchildren, Noah and Amelia Mae Tolley, Elina Pittman; siblings, Larry Tolley of Buena Vista, Sonny Tolley of Fredericksburg, David Tolley of Natural Bridge.

As a result of the ongoing pandemic, the family hopes to hold a memorial service celebrating Doug’s life later in the spring.  For those wanting to acknowledge his passing, Doug requested that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in his memory in lieu of flowers.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.