As I think about my daughter there are so many memories that flood my mind. It all started on Wednesday, March 27, 1963 in Cleveland, Mississippi when the doctor told me, congratulations it's a girl. Toni Jamarian entered this world and begin to make her mark on life! Embodied in my precious baby were gifts that would flourish throughout life. James and I were fortunate enough to parent such an exceptionally smart, articulate, protective, and talented child. Toni was a reader and a thinker. Give her a book in a quiet place and she could lose herself being captured by the words on the page. Toni also had an interest in music.

She took piano lessons from one of the best teachers in our area and was a trained classical musicians. Not only could she read music but she learned to play by ear. She shared her gift at our home church, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Meridian, Mississippi. Over her younger years she also played at other local churches. She also sang for several years in the community choir, Voices of Youth for Christ.

Her musical abilities were also present in the Clarkdale Marching and Concert Bands where she played clarinet. She later transferred to the Meridian School District and became a proud member of Meridian High School Wildcat Class of 1981.

Following graduation Toni started her career in nursing.

After achieving outstanding scores on the college's entrances exam she knew nursing was her calling. She became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LN) and worked at Rush Hospital in Meridian. Her determination to care for others lead her back into the classroom to become a Registered Nurse (RN). She was very determined and a hard worker. After all, nursing school was hard by itself, but being a single parent made it even more challenging. After graduation and becoming a RN she relocated to Tyler, Texas where I had previously moved. She accepted a nursing position with Mother Frances Hospital. One thing ! can say about Toni is she was a healthcare professional. Her career spanned over forty years of serving and caring for others. I remember in the late 80's her caring an AIDS patient in a one-on-one setting shortly after the AIDS epidemic started when there was little known information concerning the spread and treatment.

She took her chances and did what she had to do for the care of her clients while showing compassion and dignity. Toni was a 'go-geter'. I can't tell you how many different medical certifications she has worked for and acquired which lead her to many advances and in a different career path in nursing. For about the last three decades Toni focused on the needs of home-bound patients in the Home Healthcare Industry. Toni knew her stuff and was good at what she did. Many home healthcare agencies who were not meeting the federal and / or state requirements to remain operational would contract her to come in and 'turn their agency around'.

Yes, she was well respected for her abilities and knowledge in the industry. One of the highlights of her career was partnering with her family to starting Dynasty Healthcare Services, LLC, a home healthcare agency in the Dallas area. I moved to Texas in '84, Frederick came in '85, Toni in '86 and my parents in '87. After relocating | joined New Jerusalem. Pastor Curtis and the church was so welcoming, and the Curtis bar-b-ques was an added plus. Pastor Curtis performed Toni's marriage and he baptized my grandchildren by her. Texas proved to be a fruitful move for Toni. Toni loved family. She was a hard worker and as her family grew, she would sacrifice and work long hours to make sure they had what they needed. My daughter was one of the most giving people I know... even to a fault. It bothered me because it appeared that some people would take advantage of her because of her giving nature. Even when they did, it didn't stop her for giving because that's what she did.

Toni loved to cook and really looked forward to holidays and big family dinners. She would cook everyone's favorite dish. I would tell her, Toni we don't need all that food, but she did it anyway. After she finished cooking and everyone ate, she wanted to know what you liked the best.

She would make a mental note so she could make sure you had plenty of it the next time she cooked. I'm going to miss so much about her. When she loved, she loved hard. She knew her stuff and didn't apologize for her knowledge. She was forgiving, trusting, and welcoming.

Toni had some struggles in life as we all do, but it didn't stop her. She would push through. It didn't matter if it was people being intimidated by her work ethics, being rude about her stature, or her having to overcome health challenges, she was a fighter. I saw that even more in the past five months as she fought one health crisis after another. She told us several times that she wanted to go home. Well, on Saturday evening, December 9, 2023 with us standing around her bedside she made that journey.

She's home now. We will always love and miss her; mother Mary R. Berry; children, Marilee Berry, Ambrielle Wilkins and Jason Wilkins; siblings, Cheryl Hardy, Tina Shepherd, Frederick D. (Patra) Berry, Sr., Robin Berry and James (Shante) Berry; grandchildren Cameron Berry, Cassandra Berry, Ivy Wilkins and Raiden Wilkins, along with Travis Tucker, Nehemiah Tucker, and Chanel Tucker; nieces & nephews Dewayne Poe, Chadwick Hardy, F. Dwayne Berry, II, Candice Hardy, Andrelin (J. Powell) Brinkley, Katina Poe, Christopher Hardy,

Carmen Hardy, Brianna Shepherd, William K. R. Berry, Taylor Young, Benjamin Shepherd, Trey Young, Detrick Sims, Calvashia Sims, Lauryn Berry, Jayden Berry, Jackson Berry, Shawana Brown and a host of other family, friends, healthcare professionals and loved ones. In times like these I remember my parents, JC & Lenora Rackley and her father James Berry who has gone home.