"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

First Lady Pastor Tonya Ranee Turner Jackson, a wife, mother, daughter, and sister, unexpectedly transitioned to her heavenly home to rest last Friday, September 13, 2024 at the Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington, NC.  She was known for her unwavering faith, compassionate nature, and dedication to her family and community.

Tonya Ranee Turner Jackson was born on April 15, 1969 to Reverend Donald Stowe, Jr. and Lady Carolyn Ligons Stowe in Winston-Salem, NC.

Tonya was preceded in death by her grandparents, Mr. McCombs Ligons and Mrs. Daisy Sloan Ligons, Reverend Donald Stowe, Sr. and Mrs. Alvera McIntosh Stowe, Bishop Fred L. Turner, Sr. and Mrs. Lillie Ward Turner; and her brother, Eric Tyrone Turner.

Significant achievements marked Tonya's journey. She graduated from North Forsyth High School and founded and Pastored the Believer's Tabernacle of Faith Worship Center in 2003 with her husband. She even produced a CD, "Sweet Surrender" in 2005.  Her educational background is equally impressive. She has a Bachelor's in Psychology, a Master's Degree in Organizational Management, and a Special Education certificate from Trinity Catholic University.  She was also a doctoral candidate in Adult Leadership.  Tonya also was on Broadway with "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and won the Apollo in New York!  She loved to play the organ and sing and has created and directed various choirs in her lifetime.

Tonya's professional journey is marked by her unwavering dedication to the field of education.  She worked for the Calvert County Office on Aging, Calvert County Public Schools, and later flourished as an educator at Charles County Public Schools. Her advocacy for students with disabilities was a job and passion she lived every day.  She served as a special education teacher at Berry Elementary School and her impact was felt when she was promoted to the IEP Facilitator role at Davis Middle School and LaPlata High School.  Her influence extended beyond the school walls, as she served as an adjunct professor for the College of Southern Maryland and an online professor for Southern Hampshire University, inspiring and shaping the minds of future generations.  The impact of her absence is profound, and her family and friends memory will forever be cherished.

She leaves behind her beloved husband, Pastor Kevin Landau Jackson, Sr.; her parents, Lady Carolyn (Pastor Donald) Stowe, Jr., and Bishop Claude (First Lady Virginia) Turner; three daughters, Meagan Turner, Taylor Jackson, and Michayla Jackson all of Lusby, MD; one son, Kevin Landau Jackson, Jr. of Arlington, VA; three sisters, Jacinta (Christopher) Mitchell, Kondra (Kelvin) Rattley, Sr. of Charlotte, NC, and Monica P.P. Stowe of Dover, DE; two brothers, Donald (Syehilver) Stowe, III and Jermaine Marlin; two sisters-in-law, Erica Woods of Newark, NJ  and Pat (Les) James of Roselle, NJ; maternal aunts, Linda Ligons and Beverly Ligons; paternal aunts, Mozella (Keith) Lowery, Diane (Bishop) Leviticus Fordham, Sr., Pattie (Marvin) Fairley, and Jeanette Turner; maternal uncle, Reverend Willie (Marian) Smith, Sr.; paternal uncles, Ishmaels (Betty) Stowe, Sr., Bishop Johnny (Diane) Stowe, John Turner, Robert Turner, James (Regina) Turner, Richard Searcy, and Donald Lowery; and a host of family and friends.

A viewing will be held from 2:00pm until 5:00pm Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00noon Thursday, September 19, 2024 at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church with Bishop Johnny Ray Stowe officiating. Interment will be held at a later date in Sewell Memorial Gardens, Prince Frederick, MD. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12:00noon on Thursday at the Church.