Samuel Linton Tolbert

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"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Funeral services for Samuel Linton Tolbert, 72, of Clarkesville, will be held Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. at Hillside Memorial Chapel. The Rev. Kenneth McEntire, the Rev. Connie Berry and the Rev. Chip Cranford will officiate with interment to follow the service in Hillside Gardens Cemetery. 

Mr. Tolbert went to be with his Lord and Savior in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020.

Born March 28, 1947, in Mt. Airy, Sam was the youngest son of the late Boyd and Farris Garrison Tolbert Sr. In addition to his parents, Sam was preceded in death by daughter, Amy Lynn Tolbert; and brothers, Boyd Tolbert Jr., Ed Tolbert, Ray Tolbert and Max Tolbert.

Sam was a United States Army Veteran having honorably served his country in Vietnam. Sam graduated with a BA degree from Piedmont College and later from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. In 1977, alongside his wife Martha, together they founded Hillside Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Clarkesville. His commitment to his community was demonstrated by his profound level of selfless service to others as a true Southern undertaker. Sam would later serve the city of Clarkesville as councilman from 1986 until 1991 and as Mayor from 1992 until 2005 further demonstrating his passion for making the community in which he lived a better place for all. He would later realize a lifelong dream of developing a perpetual care cemetery, Hillside Gardens, adjacent to Hillside Memorial Chapel. He served as President of the Independent Funeral Directors of Georgia in 2009 and was a member of the Past Presidents Club. Sam had an appreciation for preserving history through collecting primitive antiques, southern folk pottery and baseball memorabilia, among other things. Sam was a member of Mt. Airy Masonic Lodge No. 141 F&AM, Gideons International, Yaarab Shrine Temple, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite-Valley of Atlanta as well as Bethlehem Baptist Church. 

Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years, Martha Ballew Tolbert of Clarkesville; daughter, Michelle Tolbert Barron and husband Casey of Mt. Airy; son and daughter- in-law, Brent and Stephanie Tolbert of Clarkesville; his precious grandboys, Grant Casey Barron, Samuel Brent Tolbert II and Linton Garrison Tolbert; and his beloved dog, Daisy Girl.  

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, Feb. 7, from 5 until 8 p.m.

An online guest book is available at hillsidememorialchapel.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville.