Tonya Michelle Zimmerman

Our beloved Tonya Michelle Zimmerman, 55, was called to her heavenly home on July 28, 2024.

She was a flutist, arts-and-crafter, compassionate caregiver, dedicated daughter, sister and dear friend. She loved her Siamese cat Simon, whose sweet yet feisty nature matched her own. Her interests included traveling - especially in Brazil, cooking and entertaining.

A graduate of Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Florida, she was a sales consultant for Levenger in South Florida before relocating to Greenville, South Carolina, where she helped her parents open their Carolina Chocolates shop on Main Street. Later, she was an office manager at Pioneer Chemicals in Greenville, South Carolina, for many years before retiring recently to focus on her health.

She suffered severe pancreatitis in her 20s, making a miraculous recovery but leaving her a diabetic. She bravely endured years of dialysis as she waited for a kidney transplant. During this time she made many friends who shared her disease and nothing made her happier than to surprise them or her caregivers with small gifts and trinkets of her appreciation for their care.

She lived her life with a pure honesty and compassion, finding joy in everyday pleasures. She loved shopping, attending Bon Jovi concerts, uncovering treasures while antiquing, and decorating for the holidays. She enjoyed baking and Italian cooking - often finding ways to make it low-carb - with amaretti being a holiday favorite.

Her faith brought her strength, and she found comfort in Bible study, reading inspirational verses, and sharing hopeful insights with friends.

Survivors include her parents, Mike and Cindy Zimmerman of Taylors, South Carolina, and her brother, Todd Zimmerman and his wife, Michelle, of Baltimore, Maryland, as well as many loving family members, uncles and aunts, friends and fellow dialysis patients.


Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation (https://www.kidney.org/) in her honor.