LaRose Toler Williford

LaRose Toler Williford, 82, peacefully left this world for her eternal reward on September 29, 2026.

LaRose was born on May 8, 1944, to Rev. Raymond Dock and Florence Virginia Deans Toler in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the youngest of four children. Her father was a part-time preacher in the Pentecostal Free Will Baptist denomination, so she spent many years attending church services throughout the week and going with her parents and siblings to visit families from the congregation on Sundays. This upbringing developed in LaRose a deep commitment to God and a rich understanding of her faith. She was able to see people as they were, to appreciate their struggle, and to love them with her full self.

She met her future husband, Rayford Allen Williford (Ray) of Newton Grove, North Carolina, in 1959 when she was 15 years old. Rayford quickly learned her values and those of her family and often joined her in church. They were married three years later, in 1962, just before LaRose graduated high school.

Ray and LaRose moved to Raleigh for work and soon had two children: Richard, born in 1965, and Tonya, born in 1966.

Throughout the many years that followed, LaRose was dedicated to her church, The Capital Church in Raleigh, and often hosted missionary families in her home for dinner and overnight stays. She taught Sunday School and participated in many social activities of the church. She was also a great support to Ray in his career at Electrolux, often serving as the consummate hostess for countless business dinners in their home.

LaRose developed a career of her own as a pre-school teacher, serving at Penny Road Elementary and The Kirk of Kildaire for many years.  She was naturally drawn to children and wanted them to feel special and loved.

No matter what LaRose touched, it was made better because of her presence, whether she was preparing a delicious meal, which she did often, decorating a home, sewing beautiful clothes, or simply rearranging a room. She had an eye for beauty and design and invested herself with passion to make so many things beautiful for others.

She leaves a huge hole in the lives of those who loved her, including her children, Richard Williford (Kimberly) and Tonya Culpepper (Todd), her seven living grandchildren - JoAnna Alphin (Nick), Nathanial Culpepper (Gracie), Joshua Williford (Taylor), Jonathan Culpepper, Samuel Culpepper (Abby), Emma Williford, and Rachel Williford - and her surviving siblings, Billy Dock Toler of Wallace and Linda Lancaster of Goldsboro, along with numerous beloved nephews and nieces.

LaRose was preceded in death by her mother, Florence Virginia Deans Toler, her father, Rev. Raymond Dock Toler, her sister, Hilda Toler Gooding, and her granddaughter, Victoria Elizabeth Williford.

The family is forever grateful to the dedicated and unwavering support of LaRose's caregivers: Tara Crocker, Rhonda Strickland, Awa Mbye, Taylor Strickland, and Cecilia Mucugu, along with her nephew, Billy Gooding.

Services will be held on Monday, October 5, at The Capital Church, 1308 US-70 W, Garner. Visitation will take place at 11 a.m. followed by the service at 12:30 p.m. Burial will be at 2:00 at Montlawn Cemetery, 2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh.