MIDDLETON ~ Tanya Denise “Toni” Middleton was born July 15, 1958 in Summit, New Jersey, to the late Earl Nelson and Gale Lockhart. She transitioned July 17, 2021. Toni attended Jonathan Dayton Regional High School, class of 1976. She continued her education by attending Eastern College in St. Davis, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1980 with a degree in accounting. Toni furthered her education by obtaining a master’s degree in marketing from Nova Southwestern University.
Toni married John Newman and the family moved to Jacksonville, Florida where the union was blessed with a son, Marcus Allen Newman. She was the former First Lady of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Toni later became a member of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church where she was involved in many activities to include, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Department, Trustee Member, Youth Advisor, Armor Bearer to Lady Estelle McKissick, Purity Program – Best Academy Pearls, Youth Ministries Mentor, Easter Program Volunteer, Volunteer Reader to Children, and a Volunteer for Habijax.
She was employed with A T & T New Credit Card Division later being employed with Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) for more than twenty years as a Manager of Business Operations; she was actively involved with community services. She also worked with special needs children while employed with JEA. Toni was a beautiful person, high spirited, willing to help where needed, easy to get along with and her mother’s best friend.
Toni was preceded in death by her father, Earl Nelson. She leaves to cherish her memory, son, Marcus Newman; granddaughter, Kaidyn Newman; mother, Gale Lockhart (Larry); sister, Lori Zackrie; nephews, Quince (Shelly) & Brandon (Ashley) Zackrie; great nephews, Ayden & Jaxon; a host of extended family and friends.
Celebration of Life service for Mrs. Tanya Denise Middleton will be 11:00AM Thursday, July 22, 2021 at The Bethel Church, 215 Bethel Baptist Street, Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr., Lead Pastor; Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr., Pastor Emeritus. Visitation Wednesday from 5 – 7:00 PM at The Church. Because of the love of her family, arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Drive, 904-924-9400You may witness the service live by accessing the live stream link at Facebook live : The Bethel Church or website https://thebethelexperience.com
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Tanya Denise Middleton, please visit our floral store.