Tonya Yuvonne White

1956 - 2013

White, Tonya Yuvonne (Age 56) of Washington, D.C.

Peacefully on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at her home in Washington, D.C. Tonya Yuvonne White transitioned to eternal life.


Tonya Yuvonne White was born on October 10, 1956 in Washington, DC. to Hiawatha and Selma Roberson. She is the eldest of two children.


Tonya attended Prince George's County Public Schools and graduated from Crossland Senior High School in Camp Springs, MD in 1974.


Tonya continued her education at Bowie State University where she received a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 1979 and attended Howard University where she received a Masters of Social Work degree in 1982. Tonya was the quintessential social worker embracing the values, ethics, and standards of the profession. She unselfishly helped others with her time, talent and resources always advocating for those most in need. Tonya put her education and life experiences to good use working for various health and human services agencies throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. As a gifted and compassionate practitioner she worked with clients from newborns to senior citizens. She worked for the Child and Family Services Agency in Washington, DC for over 26 years holding various positions including her last assignment as supervisor of the In-Home and Permancy Administration.


Tonya met her husband, Andrew White on April 2, 2001 and on May 23, 2003, they married. Tonya and Andrew enjoyed leisure activities and travel. Tonya particularly enjoyed relaxing on the sandy beaches and turquoise waters of the Caribbean.


Tonya was very creative and her abilities were expressed through her sewing, jewelry making, nail designs, and floral arrangements. She was also an entrepreneur who has owned a retail store, travel business, provided nail services, real estate investor and obtained her real estate license in 2012.


Tonya's early religious instruction was in the Presbyterian and Baptist church. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fairmont Heights and served as a Trustee and a member of the Flower Club. She was devoted to her family and friends.


Tonya was preceded in death by her father, the late Hiawatha Roberson; grandparents Letha and Harvey Green and niece Michelle Murphy.


Tonya leaves to cherish her memories: her husband, Andrew White; step-children Alan White and Amber White; mother, Selma Roberson-Lacewell; step-father, Ernest Lacewell; sister, Selena Murphy; brother-in-law, Michael Murphy, Sr.; nephew, Michael Murphy, Jr; in-laws George and Eleanor White; and a host of relatives and friends who loved and will miss her dearly.


Viewing, 10am until time of Service, 11am on Friday, March 8, 2013 at the First Baptist Church of Fairmount Heights, Maryland Inc., 806 58th Avenue, Fairmount Heights, Maryland 20743. Interment, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20906.