Edna Lynn Toomer

Edna Lynn Rice was born on June 20, 1929 to Bessie Elizabeth Rice who preceded her in death.

She accepted the Lord as her personal savior at an early age. She joined Mt. Cannon M.B. Church in Brinkley, Arkansas.

Later she moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she met Rufus Garrison (who preceded her in death) of this union one child was born Charlene Garrison Smith.

Later she moved back to Arkansas where she met and married Eddie Thornton (who preceded her in death) to this union one child was born Cecil Thornton of Chicago, IL.

A short time later the family moved to Chicago, IL and united with First Baptist Institutional Church under the leadership of Pastor Emeritus Floyd P. Piper and continued to serve under the late Dr. O. Everett Piper and now current under the leadership of Pastor Aaron Brasfield.

First Baptist is where Ms. Edna met William D. Toomer later, they were united in holy matrimony in 1973. As of March 7^th, they celebrated 48 years of married.

She served faithful on the Nurse Board until she became First Lady of Associate Pastor Rev. William D. Toomer.

The Toomer’s retired together and moved to Fort Pierce, Florida. Later Edna health failed, and they moved back to Chicago, IL.

She departed this life Saturday, March 20, 2021 at home with her husband by her side.

Edna’s mother, brother (Golden Odell Rice), and daughter (Charlene Smith) preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her loving husband: Rev. William D. Toomer; A son: Cecil Thornton (Delores) of Chicago, IL; Eight grandchildren; Fifteen great grandchildren, Six great great grandchildren; Nieces: Lorraine Jones of Jacksonville, Florida; Charity Drake of Chicago, IL; A nephew: Odell Rice Jr. of Austell, Georgia, and a host of cousins, family, and friends.