Tonia R. (Gray) Gray-Njuguna

Tonia R. Gray-Njuguna, 54, of South Bend, formerly of Elkhart, died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at home.

Tonia was born February 1, 1970, in Elkhart to James A. and Elouise (Green) Gray. Her father preceded her in death.

Left to cherish her memory are her children; Boniface (Leah) Muguro of Indianapolis and Christian Njuguna of South Bend: her mother, Elouise Gray of Elkhart; three brothers: Andre (Crystal) Gray, Anthony (Patricia) Gray and Derald (Cherlisa) Gray and a sister, Lisa Gray, all of Elkhart, as well as her former spouse, Boniface Njuguna of South Bend. Tonia is also survived by a niece, Dernisha Gray, nephews, Andreas Lavin Gray, Derald Gray Jr., Derius Gray, Derron Gray and Malachi Lavin Gray, two aunts: Verneal Green and Vernell Green and one uncle, James Burns, all of South Carolina and a host of cousins in South Carolina.

Tonia was employed by the United States Postal Service as a mail handler in both the Elkhart and South Bend offices. She was also a proud veteran of the United States Army, serving in Operation Desert Storm. As part of the 199 Supply Group, she ensured that our front-line men and women were properly equipped for their mission. She supplied them with essential supplies such as clothing, food, and ammunition. A 1988 graduate of Elkhart Memorial High School where she ran track and played basketball, Tonia loved to decorate her home and was quite good at it. She enjoyed watching decorating shows and would often incorporate those ideas but with her own twist. She loved Christmas and enjoyed buying and giving gifts. In fact, she kept a Christmas tree up all year and decorated it for the next holiday! During Christmas, it was not uncommon for Tonia to put up six or seven trees!

As a devout Christian, she was known for her amazing storytelling and the life lessons that she would give. Regardless of the topic, from a simple work issue to a complicated family matter, she never hesitated to give advice or help. One of her famous lessons was that “Everything happens for a reason”, and to learn to accept what God has planned for you. She believed it was important to understand that God’s plan for us may differ from our own.

Visitation for Tonia will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 4 pm until 7 pm at Agape Missionary Baptist Church 248 W. Wolf Ave. Elkhart where services will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 11 am. Rev. Dannell Brown will officiate services and burial will be in the veteran section of Prairie Street Cemetery where military honors will be rendered. Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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