Mary M. Toney's Obituary
Mary M. Toney, 94, of Chattanooga, transitioned from earth to glory on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at her residence. She was born in Madison, Alabama to the late Jim and Paralee Miller on October 3, 1929. She was raised in the Rose Corner/Triana area and was affectionately known as “Mae”, the neighborhood cosmetologist, by her family and friends. She and her mother would enjoy walking to New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America on Sunday morning, and on some Sundays to New Haven (Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church) for Sunday School. Mary met and married Jimmy “Big Jim” Toney. Big Jim and Mary later moved their family to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where they would reside in the Alton Park and Brainerd Communities. Upon moving to Chattanooga, Mary began to worship with the Thankful Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership Reverend Joe Q. Milsap. She continued her Christian duties at Thankful as a Mother of the Church under the leadership of Reverend Sullivan Coleman, Reverend Oscar Lockhart, and current pastor, Dr. Mack E. Page, Sr., until her health began to fail. Mary also had a sense of fashion and loved to wear hats. She was a hard worker, which was evident by her working at the following businesses: Ellis Restaurant, Erlanger Hospital, Jackson Building (Elevator Operator), the Plymouth Laundry & Dry Cleaners, Heritage Manor and Life Care Center. Out of all these businesses, the Life Care Center was the place she felt she made the most difference by assisting patients for 32 plus years. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy (“Big Jim”) Toney; five siblings, Laura O’Dell Rice, Jim Miller, Louis Miller, Theodore Miller, and Pinkie Ragland; three sons-in-law, Elder Melvon Ingram, Sr., Louis Williams, and Elder Dr. William T. Gladys. Precious memories will be cherished by her adoring children, Bobbie J. Gladys of Harvest, AL, Calvin Toney of Chattanooga, TN, Elaine Ingram of Harvest, AL, Mary Louise Williams and Carolyn J. Denson, both of Chattanooga, TN; adored grandchildren, Ralphiel Toney, Nicholas Gladys, Timothy McGee, Marlena Toney, Christopher Gladys, Jonathan Toney, Dillion Harmon, Melvon Ingram, II, Celita Ingram, Courtney Paige Goodloe, Tony Harmon, Ann Harmon, and Ashley Springs; adored great-grandchildren, Malik McGee, Gabriel Toney, Christopher McGee, Ava Gladys, Reagan Pickett, Chantel (Cory) Peoples and Cheyenne Peoples; two sisters, Eliza Everson of Madison, AL and Irene Ford of Chattanooga, TN; one brother, Roy L. (Elnora) Miller; two sisters-in-law, Irene Dixson and Laura Toney; one brother-in-law, James (Altamese) Toney, all of Chattanooga, TN; adopted grandsons, Cornelius Appleberry, Sean Moore and Justin J-Rod Sims; special friends, Joe Gibson, Erica Swafford, Cheryl Murphy, Deborah Franklin, DeWayne Edwards, Richard McNeil, Margaret McNeil, Christopher McNeil, Deacon Dexter King and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins that will always have fond memories of Mother Mary “Big Ninnie” Miller Toney. Mary will lie-in-state on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 12:30-5:00 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 12 noon at Thankful Missionary Baptist Church with Dr. Mack E. Page, Sr. as the eulogist. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery.
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