Bobby “Bucket” Tolbert

Bobby “Bucket” Tolbert of Commerce, Georgia passed away Friday, June 3 at Northeast Georgia Hospital in Braselton.  He was 74 years old.

Bobby was born on August 27, 1947 in Commerce, Georgia to the late Eva and Warren “Red” Tolbert.  He had seven brothers and sisters whom he loved dearly – Joyce Standridge (deceased), Jimmy (Diane) Tolbert, Harold (Linda) Tolbert, twin brother Billy Tolbert (deceased), Carol Tubbs (Dick), and Warren (Lisa) Tolbert.  He was proud of his many nieces and nephews.  

Bobby worked for Westinghouse/ABB 40 years, retiring from ABB in 2007 and always looked forward to monthly meetups with his ABB buddies.

Bobby loved his family and friends fiercely.  He enjoyed spending quality time with them at catfish fries and barbecues, playing cards and listening to “oldies” music.   He loved good food and especially enjoyed biscuits and cakes baked by Paula, frequently requesting favorites to share at events.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman – enjoying many years of dove and rabbit hunting as well as fishing at Lake Oconee with Clint, Ryan and many friends.  He loved following University of Georgia, Atlanta Braves and Commerce High School sports and in his younger days was one heck of a basketball and baseball player.   He played league softball for many years, served as an umpire and passed a love of softball on to both of his children – spending many hours with them when they were young at Ridling Field with a bucket of balls.  

He is survived by his family including his wife, Paula Cochran Tolbert; children, Ryan and Summer (Tolbert) Wood of Kailua, HI and Clint and Cameron Tolbert of Dawsonville, GA and special cousins, Ted (Mary) Evans,  Emily Evans (Tracey) Brown and David (Tabitha) Evans of Commerce, GA.  He was proud of his three beautiful grandchildren, Finley and Hoake Wood and Sloan Tolbert. 

A visitation for Bobby is planned for Monday, June 6 at Little-Ward Funeral Home from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.  The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7 at the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home.  Interment to follow at Mount Olive Baptist Church Cemetery.  The Reverend Verlin Reece will officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make checks for memorial donations to "Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer" c/o Dwight Standridge: 47 Raintree Court Jefferson, GA 30549 or by credit card online at www.bulldogsbattlingbreastcancer.com

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce is in charge of arrangements.