James "Martin" Tolliver

James "Martin" Tolliver, age 81, of Centerville, Texas passed away on April 1, 2024 in Centerville, Texas. He was born on February 23, 1943 in Freeburn, Kentucky to James Monroe Tolliver and Caroline (Scarberry) Tolliver.

Martin was preceded in death by both of his parents; siblings, Vernon Tolliver, Loretta Tolliver, Yvonne (Tolliver) Burchett and Thurman Tolliver; and grandchildren, Jacob Vandayburg, Joshua Tolliver and Aniston Valle. He is survived by his wife, Betty Lou (Milam) Tolliver; children, Rickie Dean Tolliver, Beverly Jean Echols (Joe Echols), and James Martin Tolliver, Jr. (Julia Tolliver); grandchildren, Victoria Tolliver, Shuree Waters, Jessica Garner, Jeremy Vandayburg, and Jeremy Valle; great-grandchildren, Jaylynn Garner, Kayden Ford, Karsyn Waters, Charli Waters, and Jeremy Cace Valle; and siblings, Barbara S. (Tolliver) Hayford and Alvin Tolliver.

Martin received the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior at the age of nineteen. He didn't realize that decision would shape the rest of his life and his family's legacy. Martin traveled all over the world with Rev. R.W. Shamback, reaching thousands for the kingdom of God. This path was truly his destiny.

He was a strong but calm man; a man that loved unconditionally with the love of Christ. The passion he had to bring people to Christ was phenomenal. If you had ever spent time with him, you would know he loved God, his family, and friends. He loved big.

Martin was a man of many talents, especially when it came to building furniture and singing praises to the Lord, with all his heart. Martin was a very hard worker and no matter what he put his hands to, he did it well.

The one thing Martin did best was love his family. He was a devoted and loving husband of sixty-three years to Betty, who was also committed to God's work. Additionally, he was a loving and caring father, grandfather, and friend. Martin was a strong man of his word; a man of God. He always gave such great advice and would do his best to make sure his family was on the right path without judgment.

There are so many words to describe him, but if I could use one word it would be integrity. His strengths and character showed every day of his life, and Martin never missed an opportunity to tell you about God and how great he is, also how important it is to believe and live every day as a child of God. He also had a silly side, whether he was making noises to be silly, or picking at you to make you jump, or rubbing his whiskers on your cheek. His personality was contagious.

We all know he is now at peace in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ. There will not be a day that goes by that we won't miss him. We can only imagine his grand entrance into heaven, seeing Jesus with his arms wide open saying, "Well done! Good job my faithful son."

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7

A funeral service for Martin Tolliver will be held at 11 A.M., Friday, April 5, 2024 at Calvary Christian Center in Oakwood, Texas. Bro. Jack Smith will officiate the service. A visitation and time of fellowship will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at Walters' Buffalo Funeral Home, Buffalo, Texas. Mr. Tolliver will be laid to rest in Buffalo Cemetery following the service.

Pallbearers: Rickie Tolliver, Joe Echols, Colt Waters, Lindsey Brown, Luke Morgan, Ethan Morgan

In lieu of flowers, the Tolliver family kindly requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 500 St. Jude Place, Source Code:IIQ170788777, Memphis, TN 38105 or 1-800-805-5856.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walters' Buffalo Funeral Home, Buffalo, Texas.