Norval Dean Toombs

DEAN TOOMBS, SR. Dean Toombs, Sr., was called Home to his Lord and Savior on Friday, October 1, 2010. His final days were spent at his Preston home of 46 years, surrounded by his family and the many friends that Dean loved and influenced throughout his very memorable 80 years on this earth. He drew his last breaths with his devoted daughters by his side. Norval Dean Toombs was born July 25, 1930, in Morris, Oklahoma, to Jeff and Attice Toombs. He attended Okmulgee High and earned an Associate’s degree from Okmulgee Tech. As a teenager, Dean proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married his sweetheart-for-life, Mildred Ledean Pebworth, on December 10, 1949, in Wilburton, Oklahoma. He then began his 30-year career with Southwestern Bell Telephone, leaving only to again serve his beloved country during the Korean era, in the U.S. Air Force. Dean returned to his career and answered the calling on his life. He was an ordained minister and pastored many churches in Oklahoma, including the former Full Gospel Baptist Church of Okmulgee. Brother Toombs’ loving, always-scriptural preaching and counseling led many souls to Christ. He is survived by his daughter, Colleen Toombs, of the home; his son, Jeff Toombs, of Okmulgee; his daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Clif Neathery of Okmulgee; his daughter, Aloha Kawaii Toombs, of Okmulgee; grandchildren Melony Marie Rector, Cindy Whitmore, Casey Dailey, Jesse Miller, Brandi Neathery, Jenny Toombs, and Gracie Ledean & Kenny Dean Kuykendall; great-grandchildren Jacee, Maddie, Sammy, Christine, & Elisha Dailey, Camden Rector, and Justis Miller; sister and brother-in-law, Billie and Don Holland, & family of Logansport, Louisiana; and sister-in-law, Alberta Studeman & family of Wilburton, Oklahoma. Brother Toombs was preceded in death by his cherished wife of nearly 52 years, Mildred Ledean Toombs; his eldest son, Dean Toombs, Jr.; parents Jeff and Attice Toombs; brothers Aster Lee, Willard, Donald, and Louis Toombs; and his sister, Martha Ruth Sample. Dean served the Lord faithfully for nearly 60 years. He devoted his life to God, his country, and his family. His love of each and to his fellow man was evident to everyone he ever met. He was a man of devout Faith, substance and morals, the likes of which are rarely seen in today’s world. His loving, Godly ways, tempered with strength of character and devotion to family were truly remarkable. Always sharp as a tack and extremely well-read, Dean considered his “common/horse sense” a far more valuable asset. He was, indeed, a glass-half-full type of man. This was evidenced in his positive attitude throughout his life, including his battle with terminal cancer, and can be summed up by one of his favorite pieces of advice: “Take the good and let the bad float right on by ya’.” Dean Toombs will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched during his journey here. While hearts are breaking at his passing from this life, they are simultaneously rejoicing in their certainty that he has gone Home to be with his Jesus and to reunite with his sweetheart, son, and other Christian loved ones who left this life before him. Services celebrating the life of this much-loved, extraordinary man will be held Wednesday, October 6, 2010, at 10 a.m. in the McClendon-Winters chapel in Okmulgee. His earthly body will then be transported, by horse-drawn carriage, to his resting place beside his wife, Mildred, at Okmulgee Cemetery. A short, graveside service will follow. Pallbearers will be Clif Neathery, Jesse Miller, Jarrett Rector, Coyie Gunter, Jr., Todd Stringfellow, and Larry Snowden. Dean’s grandson, Kenny Dean Kuykendall, will serve as an Honorary Pallbearer. (Viewing will be held Tuesday, October 5, from noon to 8 p.m., with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. to accept condolences.)

Norval Dean Toombs

July 25, 1928 - October 1, 2010