Laura Mae "Teddy Bear" Toney

Laura Mae Toney also known as "Teddy Bear" to family was born on March 9, 1930 to the late Lem and Susie Kay Murray in Woodbury, Georgia. She was one of seventeen children, of whom sixteen preceded her in death. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early and exercised her strong faith in the Lord.

Laura was educated in the Georgia Public School system. She completed Nurse's Aide Training at Henry County Training School of Atlanta. She started her medical career at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Laura gave birth to her daughter Lillie shortly thereafter. In 1952 she moved to Detroit, Michigan where she met and married her late husband Charles Toney, from this union a son James was born.

Laura pursued her career as a CNA and retired from Bortz Health Care. She loved caring for the sick and disabled. Subsequent to retiring, she offered her services to various charities, family and friends. In May 2009, she relocated to Cary-Raleigh, North Carolina. She joined Greenwood Forest Baptist Church and was an active and devoted member.

Laura was loving and compassionate. She enjoyed gospel music, gospel programs, making jewelry, shopping, and taking long walks.

She leaves to cherish her memory: a daughter, Lillie (Roney) Burke; a son, James Toney; 4 stepdaughters, Alfredean McCoy of Maywood, Illinois, Georia Mae and Jane Vernell Davis of Seale, Alabama, Earnestine (Rev Leroy) Garner of Newnan, Georgia; sisters-in-law, Helen Murray, Inez and Daisy Murrill of Detroit, Michigan; 7 grandchildren; 6 great grand children; 3 great great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Laura Mae Toney will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 29, 2013 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary, North Carolina.