Janis Lee Toler Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Janis Lee Swope Toler, 94, of Mullens, widow of Ray Toler, passed away Saturday, March 10, 2012, at the Courtyard in the Villages of Greystone in Beaver after an extended illness. Born June 15, 1917, at Welch, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Buell and Elsie Harvey Swope. She spent her youth in Baileysville. She was a graduate of Pineville High School. She had been a resident of Mullens since her marriage to Ray Toler, August 31, 1937. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Toler; a grandson, Michael David Castle; and two brothers, J. B. Swope, Jr. and his wife, Cleo, and Burbridge Swope and his wife, Mary Ray. Janis was an active member of Highland Avenue Baptist Church for over 60 years, serving as a Sunday School Teacher, a Deaconess, a Trustee, an officer in the Chandler and Criswell Circles and an officer in the American Baptist Women. She held membership and various offices in the Laurel Garden Club and the Women's Civic Club. She belonged to a local bridge club and the Guy -N- Dot Twirlers Square Dance Club. She served as a Girl Scout Leader. She and her husband, Ray, traveled throughout the United States, Mexico and parts of Canada in their motor home. They cruised to the Bahamas and Venezuela and toured Europe. Janis loved tending her flowers in her extensive yard and hosting lavish family dinners. Survivors include three daughters: Vicki Rae Kurrle and her husband, Fred, of Laurel, MD, Judith Kay Castle and her husband, Blake, and Marcia Lee Catron and her husband, Willie, all of Mullens. Grandchildren are: Janis Kurrle of California, Patricia Sekela and husband, Mike, of Laurel, MD, Bill Kurrle of Ellicott City, MD, Blake Castle II and wife, Linda, of Richmond, VA, Chris Castle and wife, Jennifer, of Federal Way, WA, Suzanne Clowers and husband, Joe, of Charlotte NC, Jennifer Wiley and husband, Jerry, of Ona WV, and Scott Catron of Mullens. Great-grandchildren are: Gina Kurrle, Kayla Davis, Tori Sekela, Blake "Trey" Castle III, Greyson Castle, Makenna Castle, Colin Wiley, Lauren Wiley and Isaac Catron; two step-great-grandchildren, Tessa Rhodes and Ryan Kendall. One brother, T. A. Swope and wife, Telitha, of McConnells, SC, survives, several nieces and nephews, and a very special, loving caregiver, Melissa Blankenship. The family thanks Hospice of Southern West Virginia and especially Nurse Cassie Cozort, for their care and support. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. at Highland Avenue Baptist Church in Mullens on Monday, March 12, 2012, and one hour prior to services Tuesday. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the church with the Rev. Warren Gilpin officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to the Memorial Fund of Highland Avenue Baptist Church, Mullens, or Hospice of Southern West Virginia in Beckley. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens, W.Va.