Elease Tolar

Elease “Niecy” Tolar, a woman of remarkable strength, love, grace, and generosity, was born on June 8, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Elease and Casey Tolar. On August 14, 2026, Elease was called to her eternal rest, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of love and countless memories that will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Affectionately known as “Niecy,” Elease was a smart, loving, kind, and generous woman who gave freely of herself to the people she loved. She had a way of making those around her feel seen, heard, supported, and cared for. Her heart was full of grace, and she believed in giving people the same love, understanding, and compassion that she hoped to receive.

Elease received her early education in Chicago, attending Coleman Elementary School before graduating from Morgan Park High School. She was a determined and hardworking woman who took pride in creating a life built on independence, purpose, and service to others.

In 1996, Elease began her career with the Chicago Housing Authority, where she quickly became a well-regarded and respected leader. Through her dedication, intelligence, and ability to connect with people, she made a lasting impact on those she worked alongside and the community she served. Her work was more than simply a career—it was another reflection of the strength, responsibility, and compassion she carried throughout her life.

To know Elease was to know a woman who loved deeply and gave generously. She was a source of wisdom, encouragement, laughter, and strength to her family and friends. She was the person many could turn to when they needed someone to listen, offer guidance, or simply remind them that everything would be alright.

Elease was the ninth and youngest of nine siblings. She was preceded in death by six of her siblings: Rudolph Tolar, Casey Tolar Jr., James Tolar, Odessa Stribling, Marilyn Tolar, and Helen Tolar. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving sisters, Barbara Taylor (Grant) and Mildred Jefferson (John), with whom she shared a lifetime of memories, love, and family bonds.

In her early adulthood, Elease met the love of her life, Charles Bowie, who preceded her in death. Together, they created a beautiful family and welcomed two children, Tiffany Tolar and Charles Tolar. Five years later, Elease welcomed her daughter, Robin Tolar, who also preceded her in death. Her children were among the greatest loves of her life, and she carried her love for them in her heart throughout her days.

In the late 1990s, Elease met the second love of her life, Sammie Pettis. The two shared a loving and meaningful relationship and spent her remaining years together, creating memories and sharing life’s many moments side by side.

Throughout the course of Elease and Sammie’s relationship, their family was blessed with a beautiful great-great-niece who quickly became one of their own. She brought an immeasurable amount of joy and love into their lives and became another precious piece of Elease’s heart. That joy continued to grow with A’Narion Holmes, who brought another beautiful light into her life. Elease cherished these blessings and embraced them with the same unconditional love that she gave so freely to everyone she called family.

Elease’s legacy lives on through her four beloved grandchildren: De’jah Tolar, Ja’Miyah Shorter, Ja’Niyah Shorter, and Da’Juan Tolar. She also leaves behind a host of cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends—far too many to name, but each one holding a special place in her heart. Elease had a gift for making people feel like family, and the love she shared with those around her will continue to live on through them.

Elease was more than a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, partner, and friend. She was a source of strength. She was a listening ear, a loving heart, a voice of wisdom, and a safe place for so many. She gave grace when it was needed, encouragement when it was lacking, and love without asking for anything in return.

Her life was not measured simply by the years she lived, but by the lives she touched, the people she loved, and the memories she created along the way. The lessons she taught, the laughter she shared, the love she gave, and the strength she carried will continue to live on in every person fortunate enough to have known her.

Though our hearts are heavy and her absence will be deeply felt, we find comfort in knowing that the love Elease gave can never be taken away. Her voice will remain in our memories, her wisdom will continue to guide us, and her love will remain woven into the lives of those she left behind.

Elease “Niecy” Tolar’s earthly journey may have come to an end, but her story does not. Her legacy continues in her children, her grandchildren, her family, her friends, and in every life she touched. She leaves this world having given so much love, and she leaves behind a piece of herself in all of us.

Rest peacefully, Niecy.

Your work here is done, but your love will never be forgotten.

You will forever be loved, forever be missed, and forever live in our hearts.