Elinor Grace Phillips Tollman

Elinor Grace Phillips Tollman, a resident of the Oaks at Oakland Plantation, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025.

Born in Oklahoma on December 15, 1927, she was the 4th of 5 children. After the accidental death of her father when she was 4, the family moved to Pittsburg, Kansas where she attended grade school through college. She met Robert M. Tolman at Kansas State Teachers College. They married while attending, in June 1950.

The couple moved to New Orleans where Robert received his Master’s degree from Tulane University. Their three daughters were born during their time in New Orleans. Due to Robert’s work, the family moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, then Alexandria, Virginia, and eventually settled in the Dunwoody area of Atlanta in 1969, where they lived for over 50 years. While in Atlanta, Elinor earned her Master’s in Education from Georgia State University and continued to teach kindergarten and 1st grade until her retirement.

Together, they enjoyed the theatre, concerts, art exhibits, and especially traveling in the U.S. and abroad. They also enjoyed their friendships, many of which were formed at Sandy Springs Christian Church.

After Robert’s death in 2016, Elinor moved to Mt. Vernon Towers in Sandy Springs. In January 2023, she relocated to the Oaks in Leesburg to be in closer proximity to two of her daughters.

Her cremains will be placed with Robert’s at Arlington Cemetery in Sandy Springs.

She is survived by her daughters Christine Tollman DeFashnutt and Grandchildren: Alyson Chester Moffit, Robert Wesley Chester, Alexandra Nelson, and Darrienne Nelson Urrea. Robin Tolman Custer (Robert), and four great-grandchildren. Daughter Elizabeth Jane Nelson predeceased her December 12, 2025.