Tonyaa Leist

Tonyaa Johnson Leist, 51, of Valdosta, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Lake City, FL. She was born in Quitman, GA on January 18, 1974, to Wallace Dean Johnson and Martha Lee Willis Stokes. Growing up in Valdosta, she graduated from Lowndes High School in 1992 and went on to attend Valdosta State University. For several years she worked as an administrator for Dr. Dawn Acree in Adel and then worked as a project manager for Crown Castle in Tampa for several years. She loved many outdoor activities including her utmost passion for cycling, working in her yard tending to her raised bed gardens, tent camping and also baking the most wonderful cakes and making people so very happy. Tonyaa was a 7 year survivor of Stage 4 bone cancer that she fought with the most wonderful spirit and faith, helping others going along the same journey as well.

Tonyaa is survived by her husband of 20 years, Bud Leist, of Valdosta, stepsons, Chris Leist, of Nashville, TN, and Brian Leist (Stephanie) and their daughter Savannah, of Smithville TN; her mother Martha Stokes, of Adel, and father Wallace Johnson, of AL; her sister Donna Taylor of Thomasville, brother and sister-in-law Bert and Chrissy Taylor of Thomasville, brother and sister-in-law, Todd and Rhonda Taylor of Thomasville, sister Deborah Taylor of Thomasville, brother and sister-in-law Scott and Marie Taylor of Thomasville, sister and brother-in-law Bridgette and Jay Cooper of Valdosta; her aunt Mary Willis, Uncle and Aunt, Donald and Linda Willis, Uncle and Aunt, Wayne and Brenda Willis as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews.

The family will be having a private service to honor Tonyaa at a later time. Details to be released. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation in Tampa, FL, or any other local Cancer foundations. Condolences and memories may be shared on the obituary page at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home