When the Good Lord gathers our loved ones to Himself and they are no longer with us, the memories of their life's journey becomes a treasured keepsake that is kept within the safe places of everyone's heart that they touched.

Toi Lynn Hayes Allen, affectionately known as Toi-Toi was a gifted, dedicated woman of God whose character exhibited unwavering faith.  She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and loyal friend to many.

Toi Lynn's love of God, family and life didn't stop existing when she transitioned Friday, December 2, 2022, in Springfield, Missouri at the age of 59 surrounded by family and friends.  She was welcomed and greeted with outstretched arms by her Lord & Savior into her eternal home the moment she fell asleep in Jesus.  "Well Done" my good and faithful servant, "Enter In" and receive your eternal reward is what she heard while our Lord tenderly held her close to His heart.

Toi Lynn was the first-born child to her parents Judith and Cortez Hayes, Sr.  She arrived in the spring of 1963 on Tuesday, April 16th in Kansas City, Missouri.  She would become the big sister to 4 siblings, Christi Hernanda, Cortez (Junie) Richard, Jr., Hernandez (Nandy) Lee and Brianna Camille.

Toi Lynn attended elementary and high schools in Kansas City, Missouri.  She graduated from Van Horn High School in Independence, Missouri in 1981. Toi Lynn earned a Business Associate Degree from Penn Valley Community College and studied liberal arts at Columbia College.

While in high school Toi Lynn was a member of Van Horn's varsity basketball and volleyball teams.  She was nominated her senior year for Van Horn's Basketball Sweet Heart Homecoming Court in addition to making an appearance that same year at the Alpha Kappa Alpha's Debutante Ball.

As soon as Toi started to work professionally, she pursued a career in mortgage banking and real estate investments.  She was employed for many years by Charles F. Curry Mortgage Bankers in addition to James B. Nutter Mortgage Bankers.  During the course of her career at James B. Nutter Toi held numerous positions including being promoted to management.

Anyone that knew Toi Lynn even from an early age would note that she was a devout woman of faith.  Her pursuit of God's ultimate purpose and plan for her earthly journey gave her life true meaning.

Toi Lynn received Christ at an early age and became a Believer at Christ Temple Pentecostal Church (now known as Victorious Life Church) located in Kansas City, Missouri and was baptized there.  While a member of Christ Temple Church Toi sang in the choir.

In 1988 Toi Lynn married Roland Allen.  They became proud parents of three children, Christian, Chancellor (Chance) and Chiris.

After discovering her spiritual life's calling, Toi Lynn was ordained into the ministry in Kansas City, Missouri at New Life Christian Fellowship on September 6, 2000, and on September 9, 2006, at Agape Family Worship Center.

In May of 2010 Toi Lynn and her children relocated to Springfield, Missouri where she became a member of James River Church.

Toi Lynn was an active member of James River Church and volunteered extensively with the children's ministry.  She was very interested in encouraging developmental milestones for young children through educational & Bible centered activities.

Toi Lynn stayed busy and led a very active life.  In 1998, 1999, and 2000 she found time to coach a girl's 5th & 6th grade basketball team at Dominion Christian School in Grandview, Missouri. Other activities and interests Toi Lynn pursued included:

Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, Spiritual Life Coach, Cowden Elementary Parent Teacher Association (PTA) President from 2016 - 2018Self-published a book titled Game Day/Test Day.  The book used sports as an analogy to help young people find and develop their life's purpose.

Toi's writing skills also granted her the opportunity to write and publish an award-winning poem.

Our beloved Toi Lynn (Toi-Toi) Hayes Allen may have transitioned much too soon, even so, her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family and friends forever because Love gives us memories and our Faith gives us the promise of the Resurrection.

Toi Lynn's life without a doubt exemplified and emphasized the eternal life promised to all Believers who God gathers to Himself once they fall asleep in Jesus Christ!

Our beloved Toi-Toi was a special gem!  She was a pillar of strength and a gift of enduring unconditional love to her children, grandchildren and other extended family.

Before she transitioned into heaven Toi Lynn made sure that a special gift was in place for all who loved her.  It is a lasting gift that we will treasure for a lifetime--- "Memories of a Beautiful Life!"

When peace like a river attendeth my way;

when sorrows like a sea billows roll;

whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say---

it is well, it is well with my soul!

Those who will always have fond memories of our beloved Toi Lynn are her children, Christian, Chancellor and Chiris Allen, along with her three grandchildren, Cayden, Gavin, and Kyanna all residing in Springfield, Missouri. Two sisters, Christi (David) Grauel of Leawood, Kansas and Brianna Hayes residing in Long Beach, California, her brother, Hernandez (Myrrie) living in Avondale, Arizona and a host of aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous friends and her James River Church family.

The immediate family members that preceded Toi Lynn into glory are her parents, Cortez Hayes, Sr. and Judith Coleman, her brother Cortez (Junie) Hayes, Jr. along with her maternal and paternal grandparents.