Edward Alwyn Tolbert

IN MEMORY OF: Edward Alwyn Tolbert Serving Location: CRAIN FUNERAL HOME – TAMMS 420 Front Street, Tamms, Illinois Edward Alwyn Tolbert, age 74, of Tamms, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born on July 5, 1952 to Ezra Tolbert and Dorothy Tolbert in Cairo, Illinois. In 1975 Edward graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science from Murray State University. Edward began his employment with the First Judicial Circuit as a Probation Officer in the Alexander County office on November 25, 1985. Prior to becoming a Probation Officer, Edward had been an Investigator for six years with the Alexander County States Attorney's office from 1978 until 1984. Throughout his probation career, Edward supervised both adult and juvenile offenders. He was promoted to Supervisor of the Alexander County Probation Office on February 5, 1990. When the First Judicial Circuit was divided into Eastern and Western Regions, he oversaw the operations of the Western Region as Regional Director, which consisted of Alexander, Jackson, Johnson, Pulaski and Union Counties. He was a certified DARE Officer and presented that program for many years to local schools and was involved with the program from 1990 until 2024. On June 13, 2011, Edward was promoted to the position of Director of Probation and Court Services for the entire First Judicial Circuit. He remained in that position until his retirement on June 30, 2016. Throughout his career, there was consistent thread that was apparent in Edward's professional and personal life, and that was helping others improve their lives. And while his professional career was very important to him, Edward was also a devoted husband, father, grand-father, as well as a friend and mentor to many. He will be missed and remembered by all of those who knew him. Edward had coached the Cairo girls’ basketball team and the girls’ basketball team at Camelot School. He was Associate Coach for the Cairo High School boy’s tennis team. He loved sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, trips to Las Vegas, playing cards, and playing casino games. Most of all he loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and dog, Ozzie. He had many friends that meant a lot to him. His faith and his church family at Might Rivers held a very special place in his heart. He loved being a part of the church and serving others through its ministries. At the request of Reverend Potts, he became the original Upward Basketball Director when Might Rivers began this ministry, a role he embraced with great passion and dedication. Upward Basketball was especially meaningful to him because he understood that the ministry was about so much more than basketball—it was an opportunity to encourage, mentor, and positively influence the lives of young people. He believed deeply in the difference that caring adults could make in a child’s life, and he was proud to help create a ministry where children could grow in confidence, character, faith, and their love of the game. The impact he made through Upward Basketball and the relationships he built through Might Rivers will remain a lasting part of his legacy. Survivors include his wife, Lisa Tolbert; children, Justin (Ashley) Hunter and Jessica (Derrick) Holmes; grandchildren, Madison, Aubrey, Gage, and Maxx; and one sister, Donna Holman. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Robert Tolbert; and his brother-in-law, John Holman. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM with Rev. Larry Potts officiating at Mighty Rivers Regional Worship Center in Cairo, Illinois. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the church. Interment will follow the service at Green Lawn Memorial Gardens in Villa Ridge, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions may be made to Mighty Rivers Upward Basketball. Memorial envelopes will be available at the church. Crain Funeral Home in Tamms is in charge of arrangements.

Edward Alwyn Tolbert

July 5, 1952 - August 19, 2026