Mr. Ivan Toney, affectionally known as “Big Daddy”, turns 100 on this Friday, February 3, 2023. Mr. Toney was born on February 3, 1922 in Madison County, Alabama. His parents were Wee and Mahalia Toney; however, he was reared on a farm by his grandparents, Alex and Eva Fullenwider. In 1940, Ivan met Mattie Irving at New Hope School in Limestone County. They were sweethearts from the start. On March 20, 1941, he married Mattie Irving. They were married for 77 years upon her transition, June 16, 2018. To this union five children were born: Mahalia Toney Warner, Ivan Toney, Jr., Harris Lee Toney, Catherine Toney, and Pearlie Toney Jones. Ivan and Mattie also raised their oldest grandson, Michael Toney.
Mr. Toney enlisted in the United States Army on August 11, 1944 at Fort Benning, Georgia. He received an honorable discharge on January 22, 1946. While serving in the U.S. Army, he was stationed in the Philippines and Western Atlantic where he worked in chemical warfare. After his discharge, he returned to Alabama and began working at Redstone Arsenal until his retirement.
Times were difficult during Mr. Toney’s early years. Very few people had transportation. Ivan was the first person on his street to own a car. He and his wife, Mattie, used this opportunity to transport people wherever they needed to go. Mr. Toney served as an elder at Farris Drive Church of Christ for over 40 years until he could no longer drive the distance. After which, he began attending Swancott Church of Christ which was located “around the corner” from his home.
Mr. Toney was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener. Upon his retirement, he and Mattie would load the boat and go spend hours at “buckeye and the ditch” catching catfish and brims. Mr. Toney was known throughout the community for his generosity. After ensuring that his family was taken care of, he would share with the community. He was most notably known for his watermelons, turnip greens and pork sausage. To his grandchildren, Mr. Toney was known for his signature “call” to the chickens and the hogs. Their feeding time was one of their most memorable moments of growing up. During the late fall, the entire family would gather to partake in the process of making sausage, cleaning chitterlings, and frying pork skins. It was indeed a family affair.
Sunday dinner was the highlight of the week at the Toney home. This tradition has carried on for over 50 years and is the reason the Toney family is such a tight knit family. Dinner was prepared to perfection for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and anyone who stopped by. At the end of dinner, everyone knew that “Big Daddy” wanted his bowl of vanilla ice cream. Although he now resides at the Floyd E. “Tut” Fann Veteran’s Home, Mr. Toney has weekly visitors who stop by to bring him lunch and check on him. To this day, he still requires a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream before bed.