Mary Louise Toby

A visitation for Mary will be held Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Waverly Chapel, 1702 Fairhaven Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92707. A funeral service will occur Friday, April 5, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Friendship Baptist Church, 17145 Bastanchury Rd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886.

In Loving Memory Of Mary Louise Toby

Mary Louise Toby was born on July 31, 1936, in Martinsville, Virginia to the loving union of Jule and Nancy Forest Hairston. Mary was affectionately known as “Bea” to family and friends. Mary Louise (Hairston) Toby, of Santa Ana, California transitioned peacefully from this life in her home on March 9, 2024, surrounded by family.

Mary’s parents moved to Norfolk, Virginia to make a better life for Mary and her brothers Jule Owens Hairston and Howard Russell Hairston. She attended Titustown Elementary and Booker T. Washington High School. While in elementary school, Milton Bradley Game Company sponsored a citywide drawing contest. Mary won first prize and was the only Black and female student to win. She was showcased in the local newspaper.

Mary accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized at High Street Baptist Church in Martinsville, Virginia. She became a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Norfolk, and later in life she was a member of First Baptist Church in Santa Ana, California and later made Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda under Bishop James D. Carrington, her final church home.

Mary had two children, her daughter Lynn V. Hurd and a son Arthur Duane Toby, from her marriage to MSGT. Oscar Will Toby (deceased). She also has a foster daughter Preayiale Hughes who is part of this family as well. She was a caring and loving wife; she loved her family and she loved and cared for many foster children. One foster child who continues to be a part of this family, is Heaven Jackson, she refers to Mary as “Mama Mary.” She always loved Mary’s birthday gifts of cooking Heaven “fried cornbread and salmon croquettes.”

Mary was an avid softball player in high school, she and two of her high school friends were well known for their softball skills and playing the game like “pros” “she could play ‘some’ ball.” Mary loved the game of baseball as well as her father, who taught her and her brother Jule “Junior” the art and technique of the game. This was the beginning of Mary’s love of sports, especially baseball, her favorite team the LA Dodgers and for football, the Kansas City Chiefs, this year’s Super Bowl winner. She was well versed in sports; she knew everything about baseball and football.

Mary had a strong work ethic which she had many examples of this in her family, both the women and men showed their strength in working, loving, and taking care of family. While in high school she learned to do hair and while a military wife she would do the other black wives’ hair on the base. She could do a press and curl that would last for weeks.

Later as a single mom, she worked at Garcia Fishing and Rod Co., then she worked for Allegan Eye Care Co. When these companies moved their operation out of the country, Mary became a foster parent with Orange County Children Services for many years. She cared and loved each of “her kids” and so did we. She was proud of being a foster mother.

Mary was a good and faithful Christian, daughter, wife, mother and friend. She had a quietness about her. She was a great cook, everything she cooked would melt in your mouth. She embodied qualities that we loved about her, her love for family, sharing what she had, being a good friend, and her love of going to the casinos, she played to win, and she won more than she lost. She had a roaring or booming laugh; her whole face would light up. She had a memory like an elephant, she never forgot anything. She will truly be missed by her family, friends, and many of her foster children.

As struggled with illness, she never complained. She greeted everyone who visited her at the hospital and at home with a smile. She used all her strength to continue to think of others than herself. She loved her family in her own way. She continued to encourage the younger family members.

Mary dedicated her life to God, her family and supporting and helping others as much as she could. Family and family values were especially important to her. FAMILY remember all that Mary has taught and shared with you in this life. Mary will always be a part of each and every one of us. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Jule and Nancy F. Hairston, her son Arthur Duane Toby, her brothers TSGT. Jule O. and Howard Russell Hairston and a nephew Darwin Russell Hairston. Mary leaves to carry on this family legacy and celebrate her life, her daughter Lynn V. Hurd of Santa Ana, CA; granddaughters, Andrea N. DeLeon of Henderson, NV, Breana L. Toby of Lakewood, CA and grandson Vincent O. Toby; foster daughter Preayiale Hughes of Hemet, CA; great-granddaughter KiaLynn Parris; granddaughters Zendaya Barreto and Ziamara Barreto; nephews Wesley K. Hairston (Heidi) of Napierville, IL; and Paul Hairston of Denver, CO; niece Angela V. Hairston of Louisville, KY; nephews Juleto Hairston (Edith) of Sacramento, CA, Norman Moss, Lake Elsinore, CA; Del Ray Chavez Allen (Elliott) and Heaven Jackson, foster child and her mother Anna Ward of Garden Grove, CA. family friends Etta Williams and Jorean Haggens and her loving and devoted friend Gloria Thomas.

Mary L. Toby will be remembered for her unwavering love and dedication to her family, her love for our Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior and the impact on the people she met. In celebrating her life, we find solace in cherishing the beautiful moments and lessons she shared with us. May her memory be a source of strength and inspiration for those who carry on her legacy. May her soul rest in eternal peace.