Tonya Renae Fox

Some people are loved. Others are unforgettable. Tonya Renae Fox (Stephens) was both.

Tonya, 59, of Claremore, Oklahoma, passed away leaving behind a legacy of fierce love, strength, and a personality that could light up any room. She was the kind of woman people didn’t just meet—they remembered. Everyone who knew her carries their own version of her, their own memories, each one speaking to the depth of who she was.

For much of her life, Tonya was known for being tough and unfiltered, strong in a way that not everyone always expected—but always respected. She spoke her mind, stood her ground, and loved her family with a fierceness that never wavered. But those closest to her witnessed something even more profound: a transformation that revealed a softness just as powerful as her strength.

After the devastating loss of her daughter, Kayla Marie Lowther, Tonya carried a grief that was visible and heavy. Yet in that pain, she found her faith. When she fell in love with Jesus, those around her saw a change—a light begin to shine through the hurt. The strength she had always carried remained, but it was now paired with a peace and tenderness that could only come from that faith. Even in her hardest moments, she would say with certainty, “Jesus has me,” and she held tightly to that truth.

The day she was baptized was unforgettable to those who witnessed it. She had a glow about her, a peace, and a smile unlike any they had seen before. It was clear she knew exactly who she belonged to, and she carried that assurance with her.

At the center of Tonya’s life was her family. She shared her life with her loving husband of 30 years, Anthony “Tony” Fox and was also a valued member of the Fox family, where she was loved by her in-laws. She was a devoted mother to Kayla Marie Lowther, Ashley Thurston ( husband Paul), Desiree Lewis ( husband Jason), and Dacota Fox. Her love for her children was constant, unwavering, and fiercely protective, something they carried with them every day.

That same fierce love extended even further to her 13 grandchildren: Marissa Nally, Landyne Nally, Kayden Lowry, Connor Lowry, Caleb Lowry, Shayne Lowry, Cade Thurston, Milo Thurston, Liam Thurston, Jakota Lewis, Christian Lewis, Ava Fox, and Alexander Fox. She is preceded in death by her daughter Kayla and her grandson Caleb. To her grandchildren, she wasn’t just a nana—she was a source of comfort, laughter, and unconditional love.

She is survived by her siblings, Steve Stephens (wife Sophronia), Laurel Wynkoop (husband Chad), and Lenita Stephens. She also has many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly and held close to her heart.

Tonya had a strength about her that couldn’t be taught. She faced life head-on, loved deeply, and gave everything she had to the people she cared about. She had a personality that was vibrant and full of life—whether she was making people laugh, speaking her mind, or simply being present in a moment, she left an impression that lasted.

She was the kind of woman who loved with her whole heart—fiercely, protectively, and without hesitation. Her family was her purpose, and she made sure they always knew how deeply they were loved.

Her absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, but her love does not leave with her. It lives on in her children, her grandchildren, and in every life she touched.

Tonya Renae Fox will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always loved.