Toni D. Wallace

Toni Denise was born on March 18, 1954, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the late John Booker Sr. and Gladys Booker-Dunaway. She attended Cincinnati Public Schools and graduated from Robert A. Taft High School. Toni professed her love for Jesus Christ at an early age and joined Revelation Baptist Church in the West End. Later in life, she became a member of Corinthian Baptist Church. Although health challenges following COVID limited her church attendance, her faith remained strong. She lived it daily, finding strength in prayer and comfort in God’s presence throughout her journey.

Family was at the heart of Toni’s life. She treasured spending time with her mother and sisters, especially Saturday outings to Findlay Market, thrift stores, and local restaurants. Toni held a special relationship with all her siblings, from challenging her eldest sister, Carol Jean, to familiar sisterly bickering with her sister, Sharon. In 2004, Jackie became the ultimate big brother and gave her his kidney. They frequently joked and shared stories of how they were now bonded for life. Her relationship with her baby sister, Kim, was very special. Despite their 8-year age difference, they were thick as thieves. From partying in the 80s to weekend trips to the nail salon, Toni and Kim were best friends. Her greatest joy was being Kelli and William’s mother, as well as being a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She spoke with her children every day and, if she could not reach them, called around until she knew they were safe. She ended every conversation with them by saying, “I love you.” In 2010, she married Gary Wallace, with whom she shared many happy years of love and companionship. Toni and Gary loved relaxing at home with their cat, Ida, while enjoying each other’s company and watching their favorite shows: Customer Wars, The Big Bang Theory, Snapped, and The First 48. They also enjoyed listening to oldies and gospel music on YouTube.

Toni held a variety of positions over the course of her career, with much of her time devoted to administrative and receptionist roles. She took pride in her work and was known for her professionalism, dependability, and compassion. Toni concluded her career with the National Youth Advocate Program, where she continued to serve and support others.

A free spirit who enjoyed life, Toni was adventurous. She traveled to the Bahamas to run a marathon, appeared on The Jenny Jones Show and even changed her name at one point to Makada. Toni was experimental, joyous and always marched to the beat of her own drum.

A loving person who was always thinking of others, Toni found joy in encouraging those around her. Caring for a friend’s plants, sharing makeup tips with her nieces and granddaughters, and brightening each day with her warmth and kindness. Her generosity touched many lives and will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Blessed with many talents, in the 80s Toni was the family’s hairstylist, giving many of them their very first Jheri Curl. She had a creative spirit, loved gardening, and possessed a special gift for floral design. Combining these passions, she created beautiful flower arrangements for churches, weddings, and countless special occasions for family and friends over the years.

Toni was an avid reader, often finishing a book from cover to cover in a day. She enjoyed all genres, especially mysteries, and loved watching Law & Order and The First 48, challenging herself to solve each case before the detectives did. Toni was a strong, confident woman who knew what she wanted and never hesitated to share her thoughts, leaving an impression on everyone who knew her. She had a mind of her own and wasn’t afraid to use it. Whether changing her plans or standing firm in her decisions, she always did things her way, a quality her family and friends will miss about her.

Toni was preceded in death by her parents, John Booker Sr. and Gladys Booker-Dunaway; siblings, Sharon Page, Carol Jean Booker, and John “Jackie” Booker Jr.; grandchildren, Messiah Jackson and Karrington Reynolds; her cherished friend and chosen sister, Maxcine Warren; and her cat, Gracie.

Toni leaves to cherish her memory husband, Gary Wallace; her children, Kelli Reynolds (Michael) and William Jackson (Hilluguy); 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; her sister and best friend, Kimberley Jackson; her sister in-law Beverly Booker; her aunt, Joan Carol Booker; her brothers-in-law, James Wallace and Claude Wallace (Toni); her sisters-in-law, Nancy Stroud and Marilyn Robinson (Nathaniel); her cat, Ida; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends whose lives were enriched by her love, steadfast faith, and generous spirit.