Obituary

Toby Jane Singleton passed away peacefully January 22, 2023, with her sons and daughter at her side.

A longtime resident of South Charleston, WV, she had recently been a resident of Genesis Health System facility in Marmet, WV.

She was born January 26, 1938, in Elkins, WV, the daughter of John Wesley Singleton and Ocie (Mullens) Singleton. Early in life, the family moved into the house her father built in Clarksburg, WV. There, she was active in the Girl Scouts. She attended Washington Irving High School, where in her senior year, she served as head cheerleader.

Toby married her high school sweetheart, Ronald W. Talkington, in 1957. During their 21-year marriage, Toby not only gave birth to and raised their three children, but was an active and effective ministry partner wherever Ron’s Methodist clergical vocation led them: Skokie, then Evanston, IL; Huntington, then Alderson, followed by Charleston, WV. The family spent two years in New Haven, CT, before returning to WV in the town of Weirton. Then, it was back to Illinois, this time Chicago, before returning yet again to the mountain state, this time to the town of Madison.

The frequent moves honed Toby’s skills as an organizer. She became keenly aware of what was important and what was not, and was averse to allowing “clutter” into all aspects of her life. At a time in our society when social enlightenment and the advancement of women’s rights were fresh in the air, Toby was at once a stay-at-home mom and a vocal and engaged advocate for social change.

Over the course of her lifetime, Toby was employed as a telephone switchboard operator, as well as an office secretary for a coal mine. For 17 years, in the 1980s and 1990s, she served as executive secretary at Charleston University School of Interior Design. After “retiring,” she worked for several years as retail coordinator at YWCA’s Second Seating.

Throughout her life, Toby maintained a profound interest in the arts. She devoted much of her free time to drawing, painting, and designing her living spaces to be picture perfect. Later in life, she enjoyed several prolific years of drawing, textile painting and watercolors. Family members and friends fortunate enough to have received her hand-painted greeting cards cherish them to this day.

Toby had an affinity for animals, both domestic and wild, that she came into contact with. Late in life, she became a devoted birder of sorts, caring for and communing daily with the songbirds that lived near her South Charleston apartment.

Most of all, Toby loved her family, and was always available to her children and grandchildren. She stayed informed and in touch with all of us through the years and served admirably as the wise matriarch of the family. She was frequently consulted by all when it came to making important life decisions.

She was preceded in death by both parents, as well as her brother, John. She is survived by her sister, Jean (Hornor). Also surviving are her three children, Steven Talkington, Cheryl Talkington, and Andrew Talkington; seven grandchildren, Anthony Claredades, Garrett Talkington, David Talkington, Samuel Talkington, Luke Talkington, Sophie Talkington, and John Talkington, as well as a great-grandchild, Madeline Claredades.

Following Toby’s directive, there will be no funeral service. Her remains will be returned to her offspring for dispensation according to her wishes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a local SPCA, or similar venture, of the donor’s choosing.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, has been entrusted with the arrangements.