Charles M. Tolbert

Charles Madden Tolbert, of Houston passed away on Feb. 7 at the age of 103.

Tolbert was born on Sept. 14, 1922, in Union, MS, to Eula Madden and Burton Ethel Tolbert. He grew up in nearby Philadelphia, graduating from high school in 1940. He then attended a nearby junior college for a brief period before taking a civil service position in Washington, D.C., working for a year before responding to the World War II draft call. His three years of duty in the U.S. Army culminated in a year-long stint in a Signal Corps unit near Chinkiang, China.

Following his honorable discharge from the service in 1946, Tolbert entered Mississippi College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1948. It was there that he met Jean Furr, whom he married in 1949. They were married for 58 years.

Upon completing his doctorate at Louisiana State University, Tolbert was employed at Baylor University to teach sociology. In 1960, he was named chair of the department, an appointment that spanned 28 years. Following the integration of Baylor in 1963, he was one of the sponsors in the formation of the Association of Black Students.

In the larger Waco community, he was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and choir member. He was a strong believer in local preservation and gave extended support to Historic Waco Foundation, beginning in 1975 at Fort House.

Tolbert spent 13 years living independently at Providence Village, where he enjoyed several volunteer assignments. The highlight of that time was a 100th birthday celebration. He was overwhelmed by the turnout of more than 150 of his friends and neighbors. To be closer to family, he subsequently moved to Houston.