Tonia Cardwell
Tonia Cardwell Obituary
"Tomorrow will start without me; please try to understand That an angel came and called my name; and took me by the hand"
Tonia Lynette McCoy Cardwell was born June 25, 1967 in Lynchburg, Virginia. She was born to the late Seibert Cahill McCoy and Joan Elizabeth Turner McCoy. At a young age, Tonia accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her savior. She was baptized at Mt. Airy Baptist Church, Appomattox, Virginia. Tonia graduated from Appomattox County High School in 1985. In February of 1991, Tonia’s life was forever changed as she gave birth to her beloved son, Desmond M. Booker. On March 8, 1996, Tonia married the love of her life, Victor Cardwell and they moved to Dover, Delaware. Throughout their lives, Tonia and her mother, Joan, maintained a deep connection. In 1998, Joan joined Tonia, Victor, and Desmond in Dover. Shortly after, they began to travel, living a military lifestyle. While residing in Japan for six years, Tonia earned her bachelor's degree in business administration. During the six years they lived in California, Tonia earned her master’s degree in finance. In 2010 to be closer to family, Tonia, Victor, and Joan moved to Maryland, where Tonia worked for the federal government, most recently as a security manager and continued to reside until her passing.
Tonia was a woman of immeasurable love, strength, courage, and faith. Her family and friends acknowledge with gratefulness, the magnificent gift God bestowed upon them. Tonia left a lasting impression on all those she came into contact with. Tonia went above and beyond for family and strangers alike with her generous acts of kindness.
Tonia loved purple, family, butterflies, cars, travel, and shopping. In September of 2022, Tonia made valiant efforts to bring her family together by hosting her inaugural Yard Party. For three years, Tonia and Victor’s party brought family and friends together to celebrate life.
Shortly after the 2023 Yard Party, Tonia discovered she had cancer. After numerous rounds of chemotherapy and surgery, Tonia beat cancer in May 2024. In October 2024, the cancer returned. Throughout her cancer journey, Victor never left his Tonia Baby’s side. After a courageous fight, God called his angel home on February 15, 2025.
Tonia was preceded in death by her parents, Seibert and Joan McCoy, her paternal grandparents, Steven and “Lil” Martha Elizabeth McCoy, her maternal grandparents, Dorothy and Russell Turner Sr., and one sister, Renata Woolridge. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Victor Cardwell of Upper Marlboro, MD; her son Desmond Booker of Lynchburg, VA; her stepdaughter Jasmine Cardwell of Sayreville, NJ; her stepson Marcus Cardwell of Lima, Peru; her sister Tabitha Perkins (Calvin) of Concord, VA; sister-in-law Eddis Payne (Jesse) of Lynchburg, VA; her uncles Bernis McCoy of Rock Hill, SC and Tony McCoy, Sr. (Judy) of Appomattox, VA; her aunts Barbara Turner of Appomattox, VA, Jacquetta McCoy of Harrisburg, PA, Ann McCoy of Appomattox, VA, and Uwana Litchford (LC) of Appomattox, VA; very dear friends Linda and Jerry Adams, Mike and Jeanette Murphy, Jimmy and Mary Carter, and Kenny Holiness; the Motley Crew, Julienne, Andrivia, and Charmin; along with a host of nephews, great nieces, cousins, and other loving family members and friends.
Tonia’s family would like to acknowledge and thank the doctors and nurses in the John P. Murtha Cancer Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Your warmth and kindness were greatly appreciated by all of us in our time of need.
“I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope.” Psalms 16:8-9
Celebration of Life for Mrs. Tonia McCoy Cardwell will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Mt. Airy Baptist Church, 167 Colemans Mill Road Gladstone, VA 24553.
She will lie in repose one hour before the church service.
There will be no public viewing at the funeral home.
