Tonya LaShonn Wooten

Tonya LaShonn Wooten was born on December 3, 1970 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Frederick Douglas Stewart and Esther Marie Jenkins. As a military teenager Tonya was afforded the opportunity to move and live in some beautiful places in America, such as Minot, North Dakota. In 1989 Tonya graduated from Minot High School. After graduation, she moved with her family to Guam. It was in Guam that she met and married Gerry Murray, (an Air Force military man). On September 3, 1995 Tonya gave birth to her joy & jewel and only son, Antonio Murray. During the course of her life Tonya became a single mother, where she relocated to Rapid City, South Dakota with her mother Marie and beloved step-father Pastor Samuel Jenkins. In Rapid City, Tonya met and married Reggie Wooten (an Air Force military man). Tonya would make many visits to her twin Sonya, from Rome, New York to Bellevue, Nebraska. It was during one of those visits to Nebraska on July 1, 2007 Tonya felt the calling for salvation after hearing the taught word of God and made the decision to receive the Holy Ghost and to be baptized in the name of Jesus at New Hope Apostolic Temple under the Pastor, Bishop Lance Foster. It was after this major change in her life Tonya received an increase in income with a job through the City of Tulsa, and her first home that was built through the Habitat for Humanity. As a new home owner, with a young adult son, who stayed in Tulsa after Tonya decided to move to Florida to start a telecommunication business and become a member of Released Ministries International (RMI) under the pastor of Bishop Steven Foster (the brother of Bishop Lance Foster). This was also the church her twin sister and “Bruh” (as Tonya fondly referred to Rob, Sonya’s husband) served at. Tonya became a faithful, loving and loyal member. Where she served in the Women of Wisdom auxiliary and as lead sound booth technician. It was in the sound booth where Tonya praised her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, kept the music flowing and all microphones on point for the praise team and her “Daddy” (as she affectionately referred to her Pastor), Bishop Steven Foster. During the COVID and the passing away of mother Marie, Tonya and Sonya’s business folded and shifted them back into the workforce for major companies. For Tonya it was her working at Advent Health Waterman hospital as a PBX operator which involved calling medical code statuses, and ensuring proper communications were being forwarded to the correct person or agency. It was here you could really see her love for Jesus being shared to those she came in contact with. On February 6, 2023 at Advent Health Waterman hospital in Tavares, Florida Tonya transitioned unto glory. Tonya was preceded in death by both parents, and step-father Pastor Samuel Jenkins. Tonya left behind her son Antonio and daughter-in-law, Keturah, her grandchildren Jasmine and Tiana, her siblings Sonya Ragin (twin sister) and husband Robert Ragin, brother Robert (Robbie) and wife Alicia Lofton, sister Rosalyn (Nikki) and husband Justin Daniels; and sister Tameika Lofton; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Tonya has always had a bright and bubbly personality that made everyone around her laugh. Meeting Tonya for the first time made you feel like you have just reunited with an old friend. This was something that Tonya always carried with her from Guam to New York and all points between. Tonya will be deeply missed by all who knew her for her beautiful spirit and huge heart. Her memory will linger forever in our hearts.

Tributes

Tonya LaShonn Wooten

December 3, 1970 - February 6, 2023