Tonya Blanton

Tonya Crosby Blanton passed away March 28th, 2024, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family and close friends.
Tonya was born in 1982 in Sarasota, Florida and spent most of her life in the Sarasota/Bradenton area.
Tonya loved life and lived it to the fullest! Her smile was infectious. Her exuberance for everything lit up the room whenever she walked in. She loved scrapbooking, boating, fishing, shopping with Grandma, and going to the beach. She was a hard worker with an amazing work ethic that was appreciated and respected by all.
But her greatest achievement, inspiration and joy was in being a mother. She loved her children fiercely and never missed an opportunity to express how much pride she took in them. Every holiday, birthday or milestone was an opportunity for celebration.
Tonya fought especially hard in her final months to be able to see and hold her beautiful, newborn granddaughter.
She will be so missed but the memories will be held closely, fondly, and forever.
Tonya leaves behind her children Victoria-Leigh (Kyle) Sherrod, Emily Blanton, Brett Blanton and Lillian Blanton, her granddaughter, Callie Sherrod, her parents, Dale and Toni Crosby, siblings Casey Crosby and J.R. Crosby and her grandmother Dorothy Short.
She is also survived by numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and her companion Wayne Pope.
Tonya is predeceased by her grandfather, Bill Short, her "Pa", who we know is holding her tightly in his arms.
A Celebration of Tonya's Life will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Maloney Funeral Home, 2401 Cattlemen Road Sarasota, Florida 34232. Memories and condolences may be left for the family online at www.MFHcares.com.