Toni Louise Rouse

Toni Louise Rouse was born on March 25, 1951, to the late Helen Marie Chavous Rouse and the late John Miller Rouse in Aiken, South Carolina. In 1959, Toni moved with her mother and two sisters to Darby, Pennsylvania where she lived out the rest of her earthly existence. Toni was educated at Ridge Avenue Elementary School and graduated in the class of 1969 from Darby-Colwyn High School where Toni played varsity field hockey and basketball. After graduation, Toni began working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, retiring after nearly 30 years of service. As a teenager, Toni accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized on August 15, 1965 at Zion Fair Baptist Church in Aiken, South Carolina. She served as a Sunday School teacher at First African Baptist Church in Sharon Hill as well as First Baptist Church of Darby. At the time of her homegoing, Toni was a proud, founding member of Faith Works Kingdom Ministries. Toni loved the Lord and made it her Christian duty to spread His gospel. She regularly delivered Daily Devotional and Daily Bread publications to her friends and loved ones. Toni loved to bake. She made cookies at Christmas for her family, and later in life became a local shero who was known as “The Cake Lady” to those who loved her homemade cakes. Toni also loved dogs and they loved her in return. Toni would stop anyone to sweet talk and pet their pooch. Toni was an avid Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers fan. Toni made friends and family wherever she went. To live out her legacy, Toni leaves behind her daughter, Ryann Rouse, her adopted son, Jeffrey Chavous, her grandsons, Mahari Brown and Ade Rouse-Brown of Philadelphia, her sisters Victorene Rouse Bagley of Philadelphia and Cathy Rouse of Darby, her uncle Alden Seabrook Chavous, Jr. of Aiken, South Carolina, her nieces, Kameshia Rouse Smith of Darby, Kapree Smith, Tajhana Spencer, Naiya Smith, Anjill Bagley, Ta’Bria Bagley, Mikaylah Capehart, and Brielle Cook, her nephews Stephen Jones, Brandon Bagley, Eli Smith, Matthew Smith, William “C.J.” Bagley, Jr. and Jukai Smith, her adopted sister, Jeanette Rudisill, and her adopted brother, Wendell Arnold, Jr., a host of cousins and loved ones including her friend of over 40 years, Carol Foster-Allen and her very close friend Roz Oden. Toni also leaves behind a host of cherished adopted sons, daughters, and family.

Toni Louise Rouse

March 25, 1951 - October 3, 2023