Virginia Dare Yelton Toney, 97, of Campfield Church Road, Ellenboro, NC, died peacefully at home on Monday, September 8, 2025. Named after the first child born in an American colony, she was the first (and only) daughter born to William Yelton and Sallie Ellison Yelton, and grew up in Mooresboro, NC. She married Hix Toney, a World War II Purple Heart recipient and farmer, and together as exemplary Christian role models, they raised five children. Mrs. Toney enjoyed an active life as a homemaker, and she was a devout member of Campfield Memorial Baptist Church. Her love for Jesus and her community was witnessed by her benevolence, grace, kindness, strength, and unwavering devotion. Once her children were older, she worked for many years in local textile industries and worked and retired from Kemet Corporation. Upon retirement, she continued to work part-time for another 20 years as a support assistant for Boiling Springs Baptist Church Daycare, receiving pay to do a job she loved–caring for and loving infants and toddlers. 

Even with a busy schedule, she always made time for her children, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren as she would sew Barbie and American Doll clothes, take them on shopping trips to K-Mart, host them for sleepovers, and even send them home with Little Debbie cakes or other goodies.  In the Ellenboro community, she was known as a wonderful cook, especially for her pound cakes and chicken & dumplings. Additionally, she enjoyed canning and freezing all the garden bounty grown by her and her husband. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Hix B. Toney, brothers Marvin Yelton, June Yelton, Ralph Yelton, Jesse Yelton, Frank Yelton, and Glenn Yelton.  She is survived by her brother, Lloyd C. Yelton of Boiling Springs; her son, Danny Hix Toney of Ellenboro; four daughters, Barbara T. Holland and husband Bill of Murrells Inlet, S.C., Joyce T. Davis of Boiling Springs, Beckie T. Kerr of North Charleston, S.C., and Connie T. Alberghini and husband Craig of Asheville, N.C. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Dr. Jennifer H. Merritt, Dr. Amy E. Davis, Allison K. Goforth, Shelby K. Barkley, Tyler A. Alberghini, Nash L. Alberghini, and Bryce J. Alberghini, along with four great-grandchildren, JuliAnna Merritt, Jenna Merritt, Zaiden Goforth, and Victoria “Tori” Goforth.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 11 AM at Campfield Memorial Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Campfield Memorial Baptist Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service, and a private burial will follow.