Posted on 06/18/2018
Edwin Love Toone III, 81, of Wilmington, died June 15th, 2018 surrounded by his family. He was born in Richmond, VA to the late Edwin Love Toone, Jr and Kathryn Brooks Toone. He was preceded in death by a sister, Kathryn Brooks Toone Taylor. He graduated from St. Christopher's School in Richmond and attended the US Naval Academy before graduating from the University of Louisville. Ed was a lifelong Episcopalian who devoted his life to serving those in need. As a civil rights activist in the 1960s he participated in the 1963 March on Washington with Dr. King. In 1983 he started the Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen which later grew into the Good Shepherd Center. In 1984 he helped to sponsor a Vietnamese boat family of 9, setting them up with housing and work in Wilmington. As an Episcopal youth leader he organized mission trips to Honduras, South Dakota and Mexico. He was active in the revitalization of downtown Wilmington in the early 80s and was co-chair of the first Riverfest. He ran All Saints Episcopal Conference Center in Kentucky before retiring to Wilmington. In retirement he co-mentored 3 Education for Ministry groups sponsored by the School of Theology, Sewanee, TN and returned to the Good Shepherd Center, serving the homeless until 3 weeks before his death. Ed enjoyed spending time on and near the water. He was an avid birdwatcher and enjoyed traveling with his wife. He was warm, gregarious and funny and will be missed by many. He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Julia Bates Peacock Toone, daughter Julia Toone (Brian LeFevre) of Winston-Salem, son Edwin Toone (Amanda De Luis) of Barcelona, Spain, grandchildren Noah LeFevre, Ben LeFevre and Amélie De Luis Toone and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 23rd at Church of the Servant Episcopal Church, Wilmington. Special thanks for the support provided by friends and family and by the Lower Cape Fear Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Center, www.goodshepherdwilmington.org. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com
Andrews Mortuary & Crematory - Market Street Chapel
1617 MARKET ST
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-762-7788
Published in the Wilmington Star-News on June 17, 2018