To Toni Jean Graham, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, she was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Toni, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Toni really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.
Toni was born on March 15, 1955 at Pawhuska Hospital in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Her parents were Barbara Jean Chiles & Carl Tony Ragsdale. Toni was raised in Riverside, California. Even as a child, Toni had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She couldn't’t help but capture everyone’s attention. She was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, she succeeded in entertaining her entire family.
Always a good playmate, Toni was easygoing and fun loving. She managed to lighten the mood wherever she was, even during family squabbles. She seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Toni managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Toni was raised with four siblings. She had an older sister, Gloria, two older brothers, Luther & Rodney, both preceded in death, and one younger sister, Belita.
All of Toni's playful good humor carried over into her childhood. She was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed her to be constantly on the go. As a result, Toni experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited her very well. She took part in track. She was a member of the Black Student Union at Poly High School. In her spare time she liked riding her bike & hiking Mt. Rubidoux.
Ask anyone who knew her from school and they would tell you that Toni was a class “cut-up.” She didn't’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Toni simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of her friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Toni, grades may not have been the most important thing to her, but she really did enjoy her school experience. Since experience was Toni's best teacher. She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Toni graduated from Poly High School in 1973. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was English. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Ms Chainy. She graduated in 1973 a head of class at Poly High in Riverside.
Toni reveled in her college years, where her imagination could run free. She was viewed by many of her classmates as being a creative, artistic person. Toni was usually found at the center of things, whether it was during class or in extracurricular activities. She was a jovial person who loved to share her passion for fun with others. But for Toni, life was not a case of all play and no work. Toni relished the task of putting her imagination to work in class. She was able to discover new and different ways of answering problems and creating unusual and different solutions. She earned her Nursing Degree. Her favorite courses were anything medically related.
Toni never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed Toni to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. Toni delighted in her role among all her acquaintances, because she viewed them all as potential spectators for her performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Toni was always right at home putting on a show among her friends. Toni utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Donetta Bratton, Sam Bolden, Dennis Evans, Emma Ramsey & Willie-Eta Jones. Later in life, she became friends with Rita Butts. Toni loved sharing life and having her home filled with people she knew.
The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Toni very easy to approach. On January 25, 1975 Toni exchanged wedding vows with Thomas Z. Graham. She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.
Perhaps the reason Toni related so well to children was the fact that she never really completely grew up herself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped her in raising her own children. Toni was blessed with two children, Latoshia & Shalanda. They were also blessed with 12 grandchildren, Shachenay, Corey Jr., Devon, Doritay, Zaneisha, Alyssa, Tiffany, Tiara, Roshea, Rolyssa, Robert, Reionna, & great grand children, Brandon & Kash. Toni had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of her attention was directed. Toni's compassionate side prevented her from being a strict disciplinarian, and she could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. She could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Toni had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.
At work, as in life, Toni was a real “people person. ” she had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Toni liked to see herself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Toni was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Toni's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see Toni as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was VVN.
Toni enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Toni liked creating and making things. Her favorite pursuits were watching the neighborhood kids. Toni was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.
Toni felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if she wasn’t the best, Toni loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Toni relished the opportunities where she could make an impact, and she would often push herself to play above her abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Toni never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Toni played track. Toni was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were basketball.
Toni had an endless appetite for new and different activities. She was always ready to join in the fun and add her flair and energy to an organization. Because of her personality, her humor, and her ability to get along with everyone, Toni's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which she belonged. Throughout her later years, Toni was an active member of the Black Student Union.
Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Toni recognized that her faith was important to her throughout her life. She was a member Amos Temple in Riverside.
Living life in the fast lane suited Toni just fine. It is no surprise that she loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included Hawaii and the Bahamas.
Toni passed away on June 4, 2010 at Riverside, California. She is survived by her daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, two sisters and husband. Services were held at Green Acres Memorial Park & Mortuary, Bloomington, Ca. Toni was laid to rest in Olivewood Cemetery, Riverside, Ca.
Toni brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Toni Jean Graham lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile.
Arrangements under the direction of Green Acres Memorial Park and Mortuary, Bloomington, CA.
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