In Loving Memory of
Tonya Gloria Reed Smith Gaston
September 6, 1947 – August 24, 2022
Virtual Memorial Gathering
Saturday, September 10, 2022
10:30 AM EDT
10:30 AM EDT
TONYA GLORIA REED SMITH-GASTON was born in Baltimore, MD on September 6, 1947 to the late Robert James and Hazel Catherine (Gresham) Reed. She was the oldest of three children born from their union. During the early hours on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, Tonya passed away at the age of 74 after a lengthy illness.
Tonya received her education from the Baltimore City Public Schools System and after graduation in 1964, she received her B.A. in Sociology from Morgan State University in 1968. She received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania in 1977. She received her Masters of Divinity in 2009.
On July 17, 1969, she married Robert Winston Smith, Jr. and from their union, they were blessed with one child – Kiersten Reed. Tonya later married Hillary Gaston, Sr. on May 20, 1978. Together, they raised Kiersten and their youngest, Jennifer Kristina.
Tonya was blessed to serve in many positions that allowed her to provide support to people in need, as was her life’s passion. She worked as a Social Worker for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services from 1968 – 1974. Shortly thereafter, she began working in the Baltimore City Health Department’s Mental Health Services first, as a Social Work Assistant and then, as a Senior Medical Social Worker until 1977. From there Tonya became a Program Specialist, Social Worker II for the Maryland Department of Social Services until 1978. Tonya then moved to Fayetteville, NC where she worked as a Social Worker in the Cumberland County Department of Social Services until 1982. From 1982 – 1985 she worked at the Monmouth County, Board of Social Services as Social Work Specialist in Freehold, NJ. This is where she captured the infamous family cat “Christopher.” From 1985 – 1987 Tonya worked at Catholic Charities Rose House in Queens, NY as a Screening Coordinator. She then moved back to Raleigh, NC, her favorite state, where she worked at Dorothea Dix as a Social Worker from 1987-1990. Then she worked at the Roosevelt Hospital (now known as Mt. Sinai West) in Manhattan from 1990 – 1994. Later she worked for UNC Hospitals and Guilford County Department of Social Services in North Carolina from 1998 – 2000. She worked as a Clinical Supervisor at BronxCare (formerly known as Bronx Lebanon) from 1995 – 1998, and again from 2000 – 2019.
Tonya was an avid lover of animals and of nature; She inherited her green thumb from her father. She had a healthy and varied reading appetite: Stephen King and Agatha Christie were her favorite authors. Her dry wit, her classic sense of fashion and endless optimism will be sorely missed.
Tonya is now reunited with her parents, Robert and Hazel, her brother, Tyrone McCall and her sister, Rhonda Norma Carter. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters – Kiersten (Haneef) and Jennifer; her beloved grandson – Christopher Thomas Gaston-Coltrane; cousins – Kevin, Sr (Denise), Kevin III, and Dishon; nieces – Traci (John), Tonya (Brenden), Nikkia (Harry) and Vicki (George); nephews – Derek and Erik; stepsons – Hillary Jr. and Soliemon (Kamila); stepdaughter – Desiree; bosom buddy, Wanita, as well as a host of other relations and close friends, near and far.
A memorial service will be held virtually on Saturday, September 10th, 2022 at 10:30 AM EDT. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to one of Tonya’s favorite charities:
Alzheimer’s Disease Research – brightfocus.org/adr
American Heart Association – heart.org/honor
ASPCA – aspca.org
Covenant House – convenanthouse.org
Special Olympics – http://www.specialolympics.org
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Loved the service
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On behalf of The Washington family we send our condolences, and prey that you are comforted by arms of GOD🙏🙏🙏
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On behalf of the Perrington family, we wish to express our prayers and condolences, noting to Kiersten (Haneef), Jennifer, Christopher and the rest of the family “May the God of your understanding bring you peace and calm in the days ahead”. “May His power, His grace, His mercy and His love be forever upon you! Blessings to you all….
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Sending love and hugs in this season. May God give you comfort in the days ahead.
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My deepest condolences to the Gaston Family. I pray God’s Blessings, Mercies, Grace and Comfort be with the family during these difficult times.
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Words are hard to find at this time., but our love, thoughts and prayers are with you. My sister will be missed, but her strength will always be remembered and seen in her daughters. Much love to you & the family.
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Our condolences to the family of Minister Tonya Gaston. You are in our prayers. Alfred & Cynthia Waller
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My condolences to the family. Min Tonya Gaston will be missed. Loving and caring for others. God’s Blessings to the family.
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Great souls never part. They leave an impression on anyone they come across. Everyone will remember your mother as the fantastic woman that she was. God bless you, Kiersten and Jennifer, in this hour of grief. With our deepest sympathy, Tonya and Waverly
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My condolences to my friend Jennifer and family for the passing of her mother. Praying for that God gives them the strength during their time of grief and loss.
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Our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Minister Tonya Gaston. God’s people don’t say “goodbye,” but “we’ll see you later.”
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My deepest condolences to the family and friends of my dear friend and sister in Christ. You have only gone on before us. We will meet again around the banquet table of Our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Rest In Peace until that great day when we all meet again. I will miss your presence. R.I.P.
Dec. Douglas B. Williams.
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Our condolences to the family of Tonya Gaston.
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My deepest sympathy to the family. She will be surely missed among her Church Family. Rest in Jesus’ Peace.See you in the morn.
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Our deepest sympathy, the pope family.
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My heartfelt sympathies from Doreen Dixon and Grace Hylton for the passing of Minister Gaston. She was my teacher and mentor , along with ‘Rev, Priide when I had my discipleship classes to join PBC. I really liked her sharp wit and no nonsense ways. She will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss. 💔
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Our condolences to the family of Tonya Gaston.
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Deepest condolences to the family of Minister Gaston. She introduced me to New York Theological Seminary and was with me every step of the way. She loved the Lord and now she is in His care.
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Our condolences to Minister Gaston’s family and friends. May you be comforted by God’s peace and love.
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Tonya always has a welcoming smile, and kind words for me. Rest in peace Tonya. My condolences to her children and family
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My prayers and condolences to the family. May God give you strength and comfort.
May she Rest In Peace.
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Our prayers and condolences to Minister Gaston’s families and friends.
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To Kirsten, Jennifer and Christopher:
My sincerely and heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Minister Gaston memories will live on forever.
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When we first met we knew it was going to be a long and blessed friendship. We shared many many good times, thoughtful and soulful times. We shared our joys, our hurts and the love we had for our children. One of her favorite saying was “I am not going to let someone stop me from getting into Heaven, so I will forgive them here and now for what have done or said about to me.” I am very sure she is in Heaven smiling. Rest in peace my friend my sister in Christ.
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My condolences to the family of Min. Gaston. She would always tell me to let my hair go fully gray, it suits me well. May Gods strength be with the family during this time of grief. May you rest in peace. You are with Christ Jesus.
Parkchester Baptist Church
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Deepest sympathy to the family and prayers that The Creator rewards her for her good deeds and service.
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My Sister in Christ has gained her heavenly wings and in the arms of our Savior.I will miss her…I served on the Women’s Ministry with her.. Her work here is done and she has received her reward.. Sister Katie Gray
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Tonya and were family as our children were bonded in marriage. Kiersten and Haneef. Tonya and I had mutual respect for each other am just sorry her illness prevented us from not making many more happy memories. She will be dearly missed.
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My condolences to the family, I have traveled with Min Gaston on a couple of cruises since 2015, and I will miss my sister in Christ, may she rest in God’s hands,
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Tonya will be missed. She traveled with me to various countries but the best trip of all was our trip to Israel. May the work she’s done speak for her. Rest in peace my sister. Deborah Hood
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My condolences and prayers to the family of Minister Gaston. May God continue to strengthen you during your time of grief. Deacon Green. Psrkchester Baptist Church
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She was so encouraging to me in my issues with my daughter and always thought kindly of my daughter and me. I will truly miss her. She was not just a friend but a sister in Christ. Be at rest now my sister you are in the arms of your Savior. Iliana Rincon and family