Howard Toole

Howard Eldred Toole, 86, of Greer, SC died Friday, March 19, 2021 at his home. Born July 23, 1934 in Aiken County, SC he was the son of the late Wilburn Howard and Belle West Toole and widower of Grace Rhinehart Toole. His family moved to Greer when he was nine years old. As a senior at Greer High School he excelled in the sport of football. His teammates elected him captain of the 1951 Greer High Team. The Greenville News recognized him as the Piedmont Player of the week following an October game. He received the Most Valuable Player 1951 trophy by the Greer Kiawanis Club and The Wigwam Wisemen of Oklahoma City, OK designated him a member of the N. H. S. All American Team 1951. Mr. Toole was a 1956 graduate of Wofford College with a BS Degree as a Pre-Med student and received an ROTC Commission of 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Medical Service Corp. When assigned to a Field Medical Unit at Ft. Bragg, NC, he met an Army nurse, 1st Lieutenant Grace Rhinehart from Spartanburg, SC. They were married at Pope Air Force Base Chapel, April 3, 1959. Howard was honorably discharged from the Army in 1973 as a Major. He served overseas in Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. Military awards included a Bronze Star for meritorious service, Vietnam and Army Commendation Medal with Oak leaf Cluster. Howard was a member of Morningside Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and sang in the Sanctuary Choir, Senior Choir, and Golden Tones. He had a dear friend, Blanche Littlejohn Giles who preceded him in death in 2016. Survivors include his sister, Wilburn Hazel Toole Wilson and her husband, Steve Wilson. Graveside services will be held 3:00 PM Monday, March 22, 2021 in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307, conducted by The Rev. Jack Dodds. The family will receive friends at the graveside. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, 897 South Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Howard Eldred Toole please visit our Sympathy Store.