Mrs. Margaret Ann Johnson Toth, beloved wife of Ronald Martin “Ronnie” Toth and mother of Stephen Lee Toth and Martin Ronald Toth, passed into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Hospital in Salisbury, Md. Born on Aug. 25, 1944, in Parksley, Margaret Ann was the daughter of Henry and Ann Johnson.
Margaret Ann was a force of nature — feisty, strong-willed, and unyielding in her determination. She knew what she wanted, stood firm in her beliefs, and took care of business with a strength that inspired everyone around her. Her family often said she had eyes in the back of her head; her children quickly learned they couldn’t get away with anything. Her classic style and love for country music, especially Kenny Chesney, made her unforgettable to all who knew her.
Margaret Ann’s life changed forever when she met the love of her life, Ronnie, during a college break. Introduced by friends, he asked her to prom within minutes of meeting her. She said yes, and on prom night, Ronnie boldly declared, “I’m going to marry you.” One month later, they did just that. The couple began their life together in Miami, where Margaret Ann worked as a nurse’s aide and model. It was there they welcomed their two sons, Lee and Martin. In the early 1970s, they returned to the Shore, where she embraced new roles, helping with Ronnie’s family-owned nursery and later working at Park’s Market.
Margaret Ann’s dedication to helping others led her to become an EMT and paramedic, serving with New Church, Atlantic, and Oak Hall. She was a past president of the New Church Ambulance Co. and one of the first shock trauma techs on the Eastern Shore. When Ronnie was injured while working at the prison and required care during his recovery, Margaret Ann’s resolve led her back to nursing school at Wor-Wic. Her nursing career spanned decades, including 15 years at McCready Hospital, and later at PMRC, where she earned the love of her coworkers and the distinction of hosting the largest retirement party in the hospital’s history.
She and Ronnie shared a love for adventure, often taking spontaneous road trips to the mountains. On one memorable drive to Florida, Margaret Ann came upon an accident. Without hesitation, she crawled through the windshield of a wrecked car and stayed with an injured woman for two hours until they were able to remove the lady from the car. That moment was emblematic of the kind of woman she was — fearless, compassionate, and selfless.
Her greatest joy, however, was her family. Margaret Ann loved cooking for her loved ones, always fulfilling their birthday requests with legendary dishes like her crab casserole and peanut butter pie. She raised her boys to be self-reliant and independent, instilling in them the values of hard work and resilience. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life, and she spent as much time with them as possible.
Margaret Ann’s presence, love, and strength will be missed beyond measure, but her legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
Margaret Ann is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ronald Martin “Ronnie” Toth, of Pocomoke City; children, Stephen Lee Toth (Camden), of Hampton, and Martin Ronald Toth (Bethany), of Pleasantville, N.J.; sisters, Henrietta Lee Johnson Hines, of Easley, S.C., and Vesta Labarbe Johnson Shreaves Nicolls, of Onley; brother, Henry Matthews “H.M.” Johnson (Terri), of Norfolk; grandchildren, Brandon Lee Toth, Kasey Toth Carnes (Hunter), Corbin Toth, Angela Toth, Daniel Toth, Camden West, and Cayden West; great-grandchildren, Orion Toth, Athena Toth, Amelia Toth, Maverick Carnes, Liam Toth, and Morgan Toth; three nieces and two nephews; and many dear friends and past coworkers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Matthews Johnson and Ann Margaret Johnson; siblings, Martha Virginia Johnson Roache, John Durbin Johnson, an infant brother; and brother-in-law, George Hines.
Family will receive friends for a viewing and visitation in the chapel at Williams Funeral Home in Parksley, VA, on Friday, Dec. 27, at 1 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., with Pastor John Higginbotham officiating. Interment will immediately follow in Parksley Cemetery. A reception will follow the interment at Atlantic Baptist Church.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations may be made in Margaret Ann’s memory to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060-9979, https://donatenow.heart.org/ or to Atlantic Baptist Church, P.O. Box 397, Atlantic, VA 23303.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.
