Mrs. Alva Dean Jemison Toyer began life’s journey on Wednesday, March 11, 1953, in Talladega County, Alabama to the union of M. C. Joe Jemison and Sadie Mae Elston Jemison.
Mrs. Toyer committed her life to following the teachings of Jesus Christ. Through her commitment to Christ, she worshipped with her family at Jenifer Church of Christ and was the founder of Sister Connect Outreach Prayer Line. She was raised and educated in the Munford community and was a member of the 1971 graduating class of Ophelia S. Hill High School. After completing high school, she completed an associate’s degree at Gadsden State Community College. After 25 years of service, Mrs. Toyer retired from the Alabama Department of Human Resources. Mrs. Toyer was employed as an interventionist at Munford Elementary School and owner of Tot Tot Child Development Center. On April 19, 1970, Alva Dean was united in holy matrimony to the Walter L. Toyer and to this union three children were born.
Mrs. Toyer began her journey to eternity on the morning of Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Citizens Baptist Medical Center. She was welcomed home by her husband, Walter L. Toyer, Sr.; her parents, M. C. Joe and Sadie Mae Jemison; her mother-in-law, Odessa Brown Toyer; a sister-in-law, Clara Conwell; and a brother-in-law, Harold Colley.
Alva Dean is survived by her three children, Walter (Timeka) Toyer, II and Rasheedah Toyer of Anniston, Alabama and Wakeelah Toyer of Munford, Alabama; four grandchildren, LeRay, Gavin, Miracle and Brad “Chile”; two sisters, Alberta Whitson of Gadsden, Alabama and Mary Ann Colley of Lincoln, Alabama; five brothers, Al (Diane) Jemison of Munford, Alabama, Jeff (Iris) Jemison, Melvin (Gail) Jemison and Joe Nathan Jemison of Talladega, Alabama and Victor (Cathy) Jemison of Anniston, Alabama; a special brother-in-law, Eddie Whitson; three sisters-in-law, Sheryl (Elvert) Marsh of Decatur, Alabama, Peggy (George) Edwards of Detroit, Michigan and Linda Toyer of Anniston, Alabama; three brothers-in-law, Leonard Mahan of Detroit, Michigan, Willie James (Sadie) Mahan of Talladega, Alabama and Michael (Iris) Toyer of Atlanta, Georgia; children-in-love, Frances (Darryl) Allen Bryant of Fayetteville, North Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends to help preserve her memory and live out her legacy.