Shirley Sterling Watts Toney, 74, of Liberty, passed away peacefully February 24, 202, at her home in Liberty, Mississippi.

Mrs. Toney was born on July 2, 1949, to the late George Barney Sterling and Mary Odeil Melton Sterling. She was an elementary school teacher for thirty- six years. Mrs. Toney was a devoted Christian and wonderful Sunday school teacher. Her hobbies were sewing, jewelry making, taxidermy, sketching and painting. She raised two wonderful boys, Aaron Watts and wife Tina and Ashley Watts and wife Christy; a dearly beloved granddaughter Denea Watts, and a dearly loved step granddaughter Jordan Womack and step grandson D.J. Meaux.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister Mary Temple, a brother, Paul Sterling, and an "adopted in heart" sister, Connie McDonald.

She is survived by her sons, granddaughters, sisters; Glenda Sterling Whittington and husband Tommy, Patty Sterling Rollins and husband Woody; two brothers Melvin Sterling and wife Peggy, and Kelvin Sterling and wife Paulette; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. She will be truly missed.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at Tower Hill Church of God in Liberty, MS., from 9:00am until time of funeral service at 10:00am. Tuesday. Pastor Vernon Groce will be officiating. Burial will follow at the Sterling Family Cemetery, on Sterling Lane, Liberty, MS. Brown Funeral Home of Gloster, MS. is in charge of arrangements.