Tonya Minerva Bellew's Obituary
We are sad to announce the passing of Tonya Minerva Bellew, 53, of Highland City, FL, on February 28, 2023 after a very long battle with cancer.
Born on May 17, 1969 in Kansas City, KS, to Elda and Howard Petrey, Tonya moved to Lakeland, FL, when she was 2 years old. In the Fall of 1984, she met her future husband Rob Bellew at Lakeland High School, though they didn’t start dating until after graduation in 1987. Tonya and Rob married two years later on April 15, 1989 and settled in Highland City, which is also the same year she started working at Watkins Motor Lines (WML). In 2006, FedEx acquired WML along with Tonya’s loyalty for 17 years. Tonya’s children lit up her life. She attended all of Tyler’s baseball games and every single one of Hannah’s dance rehearsals. Tonya also wholeheartedly embraced each of her children’s many friends. Tonya could always be counted on to help set up every family gathering, assist at every recital, babysit at the drop of a hat and coordinate food chains for friends in need. Tonya’s love of photography blesses the family with a plethora of cherished moments and joyous holidays forever captured.
Preceded in death by her mother Elda and father Howard, Tonya is survived by her husband of 33 years, Rob, their son Tyler and his wife Faith, their daughter Hannah and her fiancé Colton and Tonya’s brothers Terry, Tim and Chris.
Services will be held Saturday March 4th, 11am, at Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, 1727 Bartow Rd, Lakeland, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends a donation to the American Cancer Society at the link provided to continue Tonya’s legacy of loving and caring for others.
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