Mamie Cea (Keaton) Toland

Mamie Cea Toland, age 82, departed this life to be with our Lord and Savior on Monday, October 30, 2017. She was born on July 22, 1935 to the union of James K. Keaton, Sr. and Rosie Rolling Keaton in Camilla, Georgia. She confessed her faith in Christ at an early age and was baptized at New Salem Baptist Church, Camilla, Georgia. God gifted Sister Toland with a singing voice and at a very young age she auditioned and was given the opportunity to tour with the world-renowned gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. In her early Christian walk, Mamie and her family, were members of Refuge Baptist Church for many years where she sang in the youth choir and was the lead singer on a local radio program. During one infamous radio session, she could be heard to exclaim on an open microphone, "I'm scared y'all!" This brought much laughter to family and friends for many years to come. Sister Toland enjoyed singing. She sang with the Columbus Gospel Choir along with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra at the Palace Theatre. She was a faithful member of God's Grace Deliverance Apostolic Church, where she was the Sunday morning announcer, taught Sunday School, sang with the Praise Team and assisted in selecting soloist to sing each Sunday morning. She also participated with the Women of C.A. R. E. auxiliary at the church. She embraced her Christian walk with Jesus. Sister Toland would frequently speak on the love of Jesus and how we must exemplify loving our church family. Her motto to her children was, "to love and be there for each other, we are family". She was a graduate of East High School and attended Franklin University located here in Columbus, Ohio. She married Theodore Toland, Sr. and the couple relocated to New York City where they lived for many years. Upon the family's return to Columbus, Mamie obtained a position with the State of Ohio. She retired from the State of Ohio, Columbus Developmental Center (CDC) as a Vocational Instructor for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sister Toland served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Brittany Hills Civic Association and worked tirelessly on various civic association projects on behalf of the community. People would often tell Mamie she was witty, funny and easy to laugh with. She enjoyed having her family around, doing fun things and thinking of places for family gatherings. She travelled extensively and enjoyed driving cross country and on long road trips. Lastly, she was a champion checker board player and friends and family would often challenge her to a quick game of checkers. Sister Mamie is predeceased by her parents James K. Keaton, Sr. and Rosie Rolling Keaton, husband Theodore Toland, Sr., brothers James Keaton Jr., Baby Keaton, William Keaton and sisters Flossie Rackley, Mattie L. Jones and Anna Bell Keaton. Mamie leaves to cherish her memory beloved children, Theodore (Tracey) Toland, Jr., Brenda Finley, Doris Toland and Toia Ocansey, of San Diego, California; 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; two sisters, Mazie Hanna and Odessa (Hilton) Carter; brother, Willie Keaton; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.