Barbara Ann (Brown) Toney was born March 5, 1949, in Ouachita County, Chidester,
Arkansas to the late Houston “Jack” and Ernie Mae (Box) Brown. She departed this life
on March 17, 2026, at her home in Hope, Arkansas.
She was the fifth child of nine who all but three have preceded her in death.
She attended school at Pleasant Hill in Chidester, Arkansas. She married the late
Minister Eugene Toney on July 12, 1965. She moved to Dallas, TX, to support her
husband as he worked in construction. Her first job in Dallas was at Sears, Roebuck
and Co. She returned to Arkansas in 1970, after the death of her father in-law to take
care of her mother-in-law and her husband’s aunt.
She faithfully supported her husband when he accepted his called into the ministry in
1971, where they were members at Hickory Ridge Baptist Church in Chidester,
Arkansas. While following the path of God, they united with Mt. Olive Baptist Church in
Camden, Arkansas, under the leadership of the late Pastor J.A. Hayes.
She became the First Lady of St. Mark Baptist Church in Prescott, Arkansas in 1977,
when she and Minister Eugene Toney were called to Pastor there. Two years later, she
also became the First Lady at New Bethel Baptist Church of Hope, Arkansas, where the
Lord called her and Pastor Toney. She was a faithful mother, wife, First Lady, and
servant of the Lord for 24 years at St. Mark Baptist Church.
Barbara Ann accepted her called into the ministry in 1999 and preached her first
sermon at Morning Star Baptist Church, Hope, Arkansas. Minister Barbara Ann and
Pastor Eugene Toney were a dynamic team, traveling the highways and byways
spreading and preaching the “Good News,” visiting and healing the sick, and setting the
captive free. They were called and started ministering full time at New Bethel Baptist
Church of Hope, Arkansas where they served as faithful Pastor, Minister, First Lady, and
servants of the Lord for 34 yrs until Pastor Toney’s death in 2012.
Throughout her life, Minister Barbara Ann, received her GED, became a mother of four,
a Certified Nurse Assistance (CNA), a caregiver at various nursing homes, and cared
for individuals in their homes. Most notable was her love for people; she didn’t know a
stranger. Minister Barbara Ann started and led a jailhouse and nursing home ministry
that she served with her best friend Mrs. Aldean Young. She was a dependable,
dedicated, and hard worker; ensuring that the job was always taken care of.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her precious son Minister
Ricky Eugene Toney, three sisters, Patha Ruth Brown, Mary Ruth Walters, and Mary
Ann Dansby; two brothers, Houston Brown Jr. and Louis Edward Brown.
Minister Barbara leaves to cherish her memory, three children – 2 daughters and 1 son,
Patricia J. Streeter (Simuel), Cherlyn A. Brandon (Richard), and (Major Retired) Robert
L. Toney (Shamonia), Eight grandchildren – Sharenda Banks, Donald Toney (Whitney),
Richard Toney, Mickel Worthy, James Wingfield (Kay), Robert Emmanuel Toney
(Tanisha), Kezia Morrison & Jeremiah Toney and fifteen great grandchildren – Shanyia
Toney, Kaden Henderson, Za’nia Toney, Demetrius Toney, Aakaerion Toney, A’amiyiah
Toney, Jaceyon Toney, Jordan Toney; Khalen Toney, Dylan Evans, Zion Benson, Zy’aire
Benson, Zylahni Benson, Ezekiel Toney, Leona Toney, bonus grandchildren and great
grandchildren.
Two sisters – Reverend Ruthie Murphy (EJ) and Reverend Shirley Renix of Camden,
Arkansas; one brother, Frank Brown (Dorothy) of Chidester, Arkansas. One brother-in-
law – Mr. Clifton Dansby; one sister-in-law, Jeri Brown, and a host of nieces, nephews,
cousins, and friends to include Ms. Denece “Dee” Westover, one of her best friends.
Events
Visitation
Saturday, March 21, 2026
12:00PM – 5:00PM
Hicks Funeral Home
407 S. Hazel Street
PO Box 548
Hope, AR 71801
Service
Sunday, March 22, 2026
2:30PM
Rising Star Baptist Church
1002 E. Beech