Tonitia Ivy Riley

September 1, 1984 - September 23, 2021

September 1, 1984, was a special moment in time in Jackson, Mississippi. It was the day a transcendent light was sparked, that would continue to warm, lead and ignite joy in so many lives it shined upon. Tonitia's presence radiated a sweet and memorable glow wherever she went. Affectionately known as “Mac” by her family and “Toni” by her adored friends and coworkers, Tonitia left a sparkle wherever she went. Be it through her radiant smile, or her shirts with “happy” quotes, her presence was bound to light the darkest moments. Tonitia was a “Southern Belle” at heart; her warm smile, graceful presence, selflessness and welcoming personality, edified her Mississippi roots and southern charm.

Tonitia accepted Christ in her life at an early age, and was baptized at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio. Tonitia served Christ by singing his praise in the gospel choir. She participated in various activities at church, where her innate love for fellowship, community, serving, and agape love formed and flourished.

As a young girl in Mississippi, Tonitia valued friendship and family, as she truly enjoyed sharing her toys, spending reunions and holidays with loved ones, and simply treating everyone the way she wanted to be treated. This carried with her all the way to Ohio; from childhood to adulthood.

Family meant the world to Tonitia. She never missed an opportunity to host and gather family and friends together for cookouts, movie nights, game nights, and especially, holiday celebrations. Tonitia loved cooking family meals with her dad, and shopping with her mom. She also had a very special bond with her brother, Eric. Fourteen years his senior, she always made sure to support, protect, and guide him through the challenges of life. Tonitia enjoyed the special times they spent together; talking, laughing, and watching their favorite movies. She loved creating memorable moments and traditions with her family and friends, including her beloved pet schnauzer, Shadow. Tonitia loved and spread light to all around her, which resounded in her career choice.

In 2003, Tonitia graduated from Gahanna Lincoln High School, in Gahanna, Ohio. In 2007, Tonitia received her undergraduate degree in English, with a concentration in Language Arts Education, from Wright State University, in Dayton, Ohio. She continued on to receive her Master of Science degree in School Counseling in 2011. Most significantly, Wright State University is where she met her “Moon and Stars”, David Nathan Riley. Tonitia would spend the rest of her life building a legacy with her husband; enjoying movies and their favorite TV shows together, traveling and raising their son, Braxton, creating family traditions, turning moments into memories, and just truly LIVING. There was nothing more important to Tonitia than Dave and Braxton. She lived and breathed for them, up until her very last breath.

Tonitia was exceptionally proud of her work as a School Counselor, specifically in the Piqua School District. Following receiving her Master’s degree, Tonitia worked briefly in the Huber Heights School District, but she soon found her home, and second family, within the small town of Piqua. For 12 years, Tonitia, or Toni, as she was affectionately called by coworkers, worked as a School Counselor for Piqua City Schools. Toni absolutely adored her job, the students, and her amazing, supportive coworkers. The adoration was reciprocated and shown through her winning and receiving multiple nominations for Support Staff of the Year, at Piqua Jr. High School. Tonitia served on the Diversity Committee, and was the recipient of the Promoting Recognition of Diversity (PROD) Award. She was also bestowed several grants to assist in Piqua District building projects. Additionally, Tonitia developed several notable initiatives including: Link Leaders; a program developed to help freshmen adapt to high school, Girls’ Night Out; a night to empower junior high school girls, and College and Career Week; a week to educate middle school students on upcoming academic and professional transitions in their lives. One of the hardest moments Tonitia faced was having to leave her job, her students, and beloved co-workers behind, as she looked forward to spending more time with her family and friends. But mostly, her “Buddy”, Braxton. More Target runs, “Mama-Son” dates, themed days and movie nights were certainly in order, as she strived to truly LIVE, cherishing and savoring every waking moment she had with her son.

On the night of September 23, 2021, Tonitia lived her last courageous, resilient, joy-filled moments of life, in her home in Fairborn, Ohio, surrounded by the love of family, and her village of close friends. God’s mercy and grace encompassed her, as he called her home. She is preceded in death by her grandfathers; Joe Harper Clark, Earl Clowers, Sr., Willie Brown, Sr., grandmothers; Grace Brown and Great Grandmother, Beatrice Dixon-Holloway, all of Jackson, Mississippi, and Godmother, Sharon Price-Cooper, of Holly Springs, Mississippi.

Tonitia’s life and legacy lives on through her husband, David Nathan (Nate) Riley and son, Braxton Carter Riley, both of Fairborn, Ohio, her parents, Dr. Rhoda Arrington, of New Albany, Ohio, Eric Clowers, Sr., affectionately called “Dad”, and Willie Brown, Jr.; both of Jackson, Mississippi, brother, Eric Clowers, Jr., of New Albany, Ohio, mother-in-law, Deborah Gore, father-in-law, David Edward Riley; both of Columbus, Ohio, sister-in-law, Amanda Riley, of Dallas, Texas, grandmothers Elva Jean Clark of Byram, Mississippi, and Dorothy Clowers of Bowie, Maryland, special aunt, Jeana (Keith) L. Pointdexter, of Byram, Mississippi, Melia Arrington, Ursula Arrington and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, great uncles, great aunts, and an abundance of friends.

Tonita is especially survived by an honorary family of friends; Grasha Bannister, godchildren, Jordan and Grasynn Bannister, all of Gahanna, Ohio, Zakiya and Antonio Graves, as well as Shalay and Frank “Buddy” Pitts, all of Fairborn, Ohio.

Although Tonitia may not be present in this life, her spirit and legacy will live on through past moments in time, shared with family and friends, and future moments shared between Dave, her husband of 10 years, and their son, Braxton. Collectively, these moments exemplify the very essence of her life; strength, determination, resilience, joy, love and light. Put simply, the very art of truly living.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Friday, October 8, 2021 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221, where a Funeral Service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, October 9, 2021.

Family is requesting that all guests please wear a mask. Guests are also asked to wear some sort of pink.

Tonitia requested that family and friends send pink or ivory roses as flower arrangements to be displayed at the viewing and funeral. Pink roses are in recognition of Breast Cancer and ivory roses are in honor of her and her husband, Dave's relationship. Dave gave Tonitia a rose everyday their first year together.