Russell Toney, Jr.

Burlington – Russell Warren Toney, Jr., 79, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the Hospice Home surrounded by his family. A native of Alamance County, he was born September 23, 1941 to the late Russell Warren Toney, Sr. and Adell Qualls Toney and was the husband of 32 years to the late Dianne Breedlove Toney.

Russell served in the US Army and was of the Christian faith.  He worked for many years at Copeland Fabrics and Dixie Belle Textiles where he later retired.  He sang bass with the Toney Trio and Russell Toney and The Israelites. He was an avid fan of the Duke Blue Devils and the New York Yankees and enjoyed playing softball and basketball, as he was well known for his “mean left hook”.  Russell was a simple man who enjoyed trips to the beach and spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his sons, Russell W. “Rusty” Toney III (Jerrie Ann), Steve Murray, William Murray (Amanda), Jay Murray; daughters, Angela Toney Swanger (David Swanger, Jr.), Rochelle King (Mark), Karen “Rachel” Swanger (Darrell), Anne Somers (Mark); sixteen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren; brother, Gary Dale Toney and sisters, Iris T. Willoughby (Frank), Ceciliah T. Lyon (Bobby Lyon, Sr.) and Coletta T. Smith (Robert).

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at New Covenant Fellowship Church in Graham with Rev. Clarence Toney officiating.  The family will receive friends from 9:30-10:45 prior to the service at the church and other times at the son’s home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to AuthoraCare Collective (Hospice) of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215.

To watch the service online and to sign the online register book, please visit www.lowefuneralhome.com.