Geralene "Gerry" Oswalt Toney

Geralene "Gerry" Oswalt Toney, 92, of Hoover, Alabama passed away Friday, March 8, 2024. She was born November 19, 1931 in a little red house to Shellie and Mary Lee Oswalt in Oktibbeha, Mississippi. She was their second child who lived to be 92 at the time of her death. She was proud to tell everyone she was 92 but she sure did not look or act 92.

Throughout her life, Gerry became known as daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to so many. She was also a loving wife to William "Bill" H. Toney until his death in 1989. Bill and Gerry married January 16, 1959, residing in Memphis, Tennessee until they moved in 1963 to Columbus, Mississippi. Together, they continued to make good friends, entertaining, playing cards with her bridge club, and generally enjoying life.

In 2001, Gerry moved to Panama City, Florida to be close to her sister, Jean, and two of her nieces. She resided in Panama City for 20 years before moving to Birmingham, Alabama, where she and her precious dog, Molly, resided at the Crossings. At the Crossings, Gerry was truly in her element. She formed close friendships with the other residents and staff, welcomed all newcomers, and assisted in coordinating group functions. She loved living at the Crossings!

Gerry graduated from the Office Training School in Memphis in 1949; however, her true calling was volunteer work at the Columbus Golden Triangle Hospital in Columbus, Mississippi. She volunteered with patients and assisted with managing the gift shop. Her volunteer work continued in Panama City where she volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and again, made friends with everyone she served.

Gerry had a very strong faith, trusting and believing in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Panama City and helped feed the homeless and those in need. Yes, she was very loving and giving of her time.

Gerry's family has felt the blow of losing her so suddenly, as she is survived by her brother, Roland, and his wife, Norma Oswalt; nieces and nephews, Shelley McKinney and Linda Edlund, David McKinney, Rodney and Teresa Oswalt, and Paula Harville; great-nieces and great-nephews, Jennifer Collier, Richard Oswalt, Sam Oswalt, Barry Duncan, Lance Duncan, James Roland (JR) Harville and Raele, Chris and Debbie Sautter, Michael Sautter, and Ginger Morris; and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, Leah and Cody Weeks, Lindsey and Jayme Warren, Luke Oswalt, Danny Ray Oswalt, MaKenzie Duncan, Colton Collier, Zylar Collier, Isabella Griffin, Alexiona Collier, McKenzie Bishop, Calem Harville, Logan Harville, Calli Ann Sautter, Joseph Sautter, Sara and Josh Roberts, and Kamron Johnson. Gerry was the great-great-great-aunt to three nieces and eight nephews.

At the family Christmas gathering, she had a gift for every child under the tree. She was a wonderful and thoughtful aunt who loved her family very much, and we loved her.

We will celebrate Gerry’s life with a visitation from 10-11 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama. Mark Bourgoin of Riverchase United Methodist Church will officiate.

Gerry will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi on Thursday, March 14, 2024.