Dorothy Randolph Toney, 86, died November 16, 2021, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter, SC.
Ms. Toney was the eighth of twelve children of Willie and Bessie Fogle Randolph. She grew up in the west side of Sumter and was a member of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1953, graduated from Columbia Hospital School of Nursing and did post graduate studies at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. She was the first Black head nurse at Tuomey Regional Medical Center and served as an instructor of nursing assistants. She retired after 40 years of service.
Ms. Toney was a passionate advocate for the numerous boards and commissions she served. She was very proud of her community, the city of Sumter, and she wanted the best for everyone. Her personal aim was to leave everything better than how she found it. This value was noted in many honors and awards for her dedicated service. She was Sumter Nurse of the Year, Sumter County Woman of the Year for Outstanding Service to the Community, a YWCA TWIN Nominee (1981), and was commended for her work on the Sumter-Columbia Empowerment Zone, 1999-2009. Ms. Toney was also inducted into the Lincoln High School Preservation Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame and was recognized as one of 120 “Women of the Honor” in Sumter County, 1993-2019.
Ms. Toney was an active member of the Lincoln High School Preservation Alumni Association and served on its Board of Directors as Second Vice President and was chairman of the membership committee. She was a former president of the Northside Community Association. She was an active member of Goodwill Presbyterian Church (USA), where she was an elder, a former Sunday school teacher, and a member of the Presbyterian Women of New Harmony.
Ms. Toney was the widow of Luke Toney II. They had three children, two preceded her in death, Luke Toney III and Tamala Toney. She is survived by a daughter Dorolita “Dorrie” Toney, god daughter Tia (Fred) Lawson, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
The family will receive friends for a public viewing at Samuels Funeral Home in Manning, S.C., Monday, November 22, 2021 from 3 to 6 p.m. A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Hillside Memorial Park, 2561 Cains Mill Road, Sumter S.C. 29154.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to the Lincoln High School Operational Fund online at LincolnSumter.org or by mail at PO Box 1150, Sumter, S.C. 29151.
