Murry Blake Toler, age 81, of Malvern, died early Saturday morning, April 14, 2007, in the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born in the Brush Creek Community near Leola, Arkansas, on August 14, 1925 to the late Homer G. and Emma Deere Toler. Reared and educated in Leola and Sheridan, he joined the United States Navy after graduating high school, serving until the end of World War 2. Mr. Toler was a longtime partner in the H. G. Toler and Sons Lumber Company in Leola, and was active in running the business until ill health forced him to slow down. He had served on the board of directors of the Malvern National Bank for over four decades. Mr. Toler was a member of First United Methodist Church of Malvern, where he had served on numerous committees and boards throughout the years.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby Jean Phillips Toler, to whom he was married on October 19, 1946 in the First United Methodist Church by the Reverend Fred R. Harrison. He also leaves behind two daughters, Nancy Toler Grigsby and her husband Richard, of Malvern, and Cindy Toler Hale of West Monroe, Louisiana; by a son and daughter-in-law David and Rhonna Toler of Malvern; by five grandchildren: Amanda, John, Kimberly, Brittany, and Andrea; and by six great-grandchildren: Summer, Nathan, Natalie, Megan, Phillip, and Billy.Mr. Toler was also preceded in death by a son, Phillip Murry Toler; by two brothers: Curtis and Harold Toler; and by two sisters: Mary Sue Kelly and Matilie Taggart.His funeral will be held at two o'clock Tuesday afternoon, April 17, 2007 in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Stephen Wingo and Dr. F. Gladwin Connell officiating. Interment will follow in Brush Creek Cemetery.Pallbearers will be: Ernie Starks, Randy Grooms, Larry Dial, Todd Riggan, Melvin Finley, Donny White, and John White.

The family will receive friends at J. A. Funk Funeral Home on Monday evening, April 16, 2007, from six until eight o'clock in the evening.In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the First United Methodist Church in Malvern.

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