Merle Kyzar Tolbert

Merle Kyzar Tolbert, 97, of Ruleville, Mississippi, went to be with Jesus, Sunday, January 25, 2026, at North Sunflower Medical Center in Ruleville.  Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Ruleville Baptist Church in Ruleville, MS.  Celebration of Life will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at Lehrton Cemetery.

Merle was born February 27, 1928, in Columbia, Mississippi, to Reverend William Washington Kyzar and Stella Winborne Kyzar. Merle graduated from Columbia High School in 1945, and continued her education at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, receiving a Degree in Music in 1949. She left Waco for Corona, New Mexico, where she taught for one year. She then moved to Ruleville in 1950, met and married E.P. ”Nubby” Tolbert, and taught music in Ruleville Public School and Linn Public School. Upon receiving her Master’s in Music from Delta State College in 1968, she finished her teaching career in the Music Department at Mississippi Delta Junior College, and retired in 1987. She went back to Mississippi Delta in 1994, part time and retired a second time in 2012. Throughout the years she taught piano, organ, and voice at the studio and college levels. Additionally, she used her talent to play for many weddings, funerals, graduations, and school musicals.

Merle was very active in numerous community and civic organizations. She served on the Sunflower County Library Board, as well as being a member of the Ruleville Twentieth Century Club.

Merle was a faithful member of Ruleville Baptist Church since 1950. She served as organist for 68 years. She was choir director on and off for many years, as well as directing the Handbell choir.

Merle was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Nubby Tolbert; by her parents, Reverend William W. Kyzar and Stella Winborne Kyzar; her brothers, Bill Kyzar, Hinton Kyzar, Wayne Kyzar, Ray Kyzar, Gene Kyzar, her twin brother, Earl Kyzar, and her sister, Fay Kyzar.

Survivors are daughter, Beverly Terrell, of Ruleville; son William “Bill” Tolbert (Rhonda) of Madison; and son Robert “Bob” Tolbert (Shelia) of Greenwood; her beloved grandchildren, Melanie Terrell Estridge (Jason) of Madison; Natali Tolbert Hill (Drew) of Nesbit; Eric Hinton Tolbert (Amanda) of Clinton; Anne Elisabeth Tolbert Peacock (Jim) of Madison ; and Emily Tolbert Keefe (Matt) of Madison. She is also survived by 10 great grandchildren, Will, Mary Peyton, Cole, and Reid Estridge of Madison; Tyler and Sarah Hill of Nesbit; Corinne Peacock of Madison; and Evelyn, Alex and Finn Tolbert of Clinton. In addition she is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, many dear friends, and her Toy Poodle, Louie.

The family would like to thank the medical professionals at North Sunflower Medical Center and Adoration Home Health Agency for treating her with compassion, dignity, and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made in Merle’s name to Ruleville Baptist Church, 364 North Ruby Avenue, Ruleville, MS 38771, or to a charity of choice.

Merle had a strong faith in God. Growing up in a preacher’s family, she learned early that she could lean on and trust God. One of her favorite scriptures is Romans 8:28. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”