Joe Pat Tolson (April 15, 1941 – February 3, 2019) was an American educator and Democratic member of the

North Carolina General Assembly The North Carolina General Assembly is the Bicameralism, bicameral legislature of the Government of North Carolina, state government of North Carolina. The legislature consists of two chambers: the North Carolina Senate, Senate and the North Ca ...

representing the state's twenty-third House district, including constituents in Edgecombe and Wilson counties. A retired educator from

Pinetops, North Carolina Pinetops is a town in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,374 at the 2010 census. History The historic plantation house of Vinedale ...

, Tolson retired after the 2013-2014 session, serving his ninth term in the state House. He was replaced by

Shelly Willingham Shelly Willingham (born November 27, 1943) is a Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. He has represented the 23rd district (which includes all of Martin and Edgecombe counties) since 2015. He previously served in the ...

. Tolson died in 2019 from respiratory failure at a hospital in Tarboro, North Carolina. Tolson received his bachelor's and master's degrees from

Barton College Barton College is a private liberal arts college in Wilson, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It offers 29 majors and 7 minors as well as 6 master's degrees. History Barton College was incorpo ...

and

University of Virginia The University of Virginia (UVA) is a Public university#United States, public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson and contains his The Lawn, Academical Village, a World H ...

. He served as assistant vice-president for Edgecombe Community College.

Electoral history

2012

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

References

, - 1941 births 2019 deaths Democratic Party members of the North Carolina House of Representatives People from Edgecombe County, North Carolina Barton College alumni University of Virginia alumni Educators from North Carolina 21st-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly 20th-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly {{NorthCarolina-politician-stub