Donna Beavers Toya

Donna was born on December 24, 1938 in Marion AR to Don and Christine Beavers. After high school, Donna moved to Memphis, TN to pursue her nursing degree at Baptist Memorial School of Nursing. While in Memphis, she met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Toya. After her graduation and then a short stay in Jonesboro, AR, the family, now with 3 children, moved to Oak Ridge TN. Donna was not only a working mom and nurse, but was also active in her church choir and sang with the Sweet Adelines.

A job change would bring them back to Birmingham, AL and they lived in Homewood since 1976. Donna was a devoted wife, mother, volunteer and church member. In the late 1980’s they joined Dawson Memorial Baptist Church and both became very active members. Donna loved her time in the Sanctuary Choir, the Dawsonaires, the Lyle/Byrd Life Group and the time she spent volunteering in the church library and with Dawson Kids Connection.

Her life is best described in verses from Proverbs 31:

Verse 10 “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” and verse 31 “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Donna lived a full life, spent serving her Lord and others, through her long nursing career and many other ways in her neighborhood and community.

Donna is survived by Dick, her devoted husband of 59 years; son Richard Toya (Nancy); daughters Rebecca Grant (Bruce) and Charlotte Autry (Walt); grandchildren Brandon Toya (Alli), Rachel and Carter Autrey, Caroline Carr, Elizabeth and Virginia Grant and one great grandson, Alexander Toya.

Celebration of her life will be held July 13, 2020 at 10:00 am at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dawson Library, Dawson Memorial Kids Connection (Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, 1114 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209) or a charity of your choice in her honor would be kindly appreciated.