Nellie Mae Thomas Toney, age 93 of the Sunshine Community died Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Fairhaven Home in Bostic.  She was born on September 1, 1931, in Rutherford County and was a daughter of the late Burley Austin Thomas and Ella Watts Thomas.

Nellie attended Cool Springs High School and retired from Broyhill Furniture.  Her family and community were the most important part of her life.  She was a charter member of Ross Hill Baptist Church where she was a former Sunday school teacher and was active in all church activities until her health declined. 

Her ministry to others was her cooking. Sharing what she cooked with her family, church, or the community was her greatest gift.  For anyone that received one of her fried pies, they will long remember her kindness. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Grady  Toney in 1997, her son, Michael Wayne Toney in 2020, her infant brother, Charles Ray Thomas, and brother, Robert Thomas, and her sister Colene Thomas Lancaster.     

Survivors include her daughter, Sherri Toney Yelton and husband James of Bostic, her sisters, Sarah Thomas Smith and Shirley Thomas Madden and husband Cortney all of Shelby.  There are also four grandchildren, Lissa Queen and husband Tripp, Misty Whitaker, Ashley Baker and husband Jesse, and Toni Merck and husband Derrick.  There are also 7 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 3 o’clock on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Ross Hill Baptist Church with the Reverend Justin Blackwell, Reverend Earl Godfrey and Reverend Ben Wilson Queen officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o’clock on Thursday evening at Padgett and King.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of The Carolina Foothills, Post Office Box 336, Forest City, North Carolina 28043.

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com