Connie Gadd Toler, 68, of Athens, died Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center. Born August 29, 1950, in Princeton, Connie was the daughter of Ennis Elaine and Robert Lee Gadd. Knowing she was born to be an educator, she graduated from high school at the age of 16 and was hired by the Summers County school system by 19. Connie spent most of her 36-year career as a teacher in the Mercer County Board of Education, working at Matoaka, Spanishburg and Melrose schools, where she was known for her compassion toward all students and strict adherence to the same rules for everyone. As students remembered her this week, they recalled Connie’s support of their individuality, creativity, ready hugs when they were most needed – and her demand that they maintain her high standards for good behavior. Connie spent decades as part of Alpha Delta Kappa, a teacher’s sorority committed to building educational excellence, altruism and world understanding through fellowship. It was through this association that she became a supporter of Camp Kno Koma, a safe summer camping experience for children in and around West Virginia with diabetes. It focuses on adventure, education and friendship. Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Ennis and Robert Gadd. She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Douglas Toler, of Athens; their daughter, Tammie Toler and her love, Steve Maynard, of Elgood; sisters Laine Pickrel and her husband, Steve, of Nashville, Tenn., and Debbie Mitchem and her husband, Danny, of Elgood; sisters-in-law Linda Hatfield and her husband, Glenn, and Frieda Harman and her husband, Bob; nieces April Clay and her husband, Eric; Carla Stewart and her husband, Jason, and Cristi Jones and her husband, Paul; several great-nieces and great-nephews, and thousands of students whose lives she touched throughout her career. Funeral services to celebrate the life of Connie Gadd Toler will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, January 10, 2018 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Pastor Jerry Martin of Pine Grove Missionary Church officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Princeton. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to Alpha Delta Kappa statewide philanthropy Camp Kno-Koma. Donations in her memory may be mailed to West Virginia ADK Camp Kno-Koma, C/O Margo Polk, 1402 15th St., Parkersburg, WV 26101. Pallbearers will be Rob Curry, Ron Lovell, Steve Maynard, Al Morgan, Dana Bragg, Mike White, Ronald White and Matthew Williams. The Toler family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on Athens Road in Princeton