For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the LORD, "

plans to prosper you and not to harm you, …

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Toye Michelle Sterling entered this world on January 24, 1975.  The first child of Arthur Sterling III and Roma Sterling Mitchell.  Over the years and through life's changes, she would come to have three sisters, Monique Sterling of Fresno, TX, Dominique Mitchell of Texas City, TX, and Jaden Sterling of Lake Charles, as well a beloved bonus father, Mark Mitchell.

Toye accepted Christ at an early age.  She was baptized by the late Dr. V. E. Washington at the New Sunlight Baptist Church where she remained a member until her passing.  Toye as a youth, was a devoted member participating in every choir.  She attended Sunday School and BTU every Sunday.  In her teen years she attended youth week and youth encampment.

Toye excelled academically through her school years, earning her many awards.  She was a member of Jack & Jill, Girl Scouts of America, and Delsprites.  She graduated from LaGrange Senior High School in 1993, where she was a member of the Gatorettes.  After high school she attended Northeast Louisiana University, and McNeese State University.  In 2012 Toye became the secretary of New Sunlight where she worked until the present.

She was proceeded in death by her paternal grandparents, Arthur Sterling Jr. and Flossy Sterling, her maternal grandmother, Vera LeDet, three uncles, Cedric Pittman Sr., Theron Sterling and Richard Sterling, one Aunt Sandra Yell, and Stepmother Alosia Sterling.

She is survived by her mother, Roma Mitchell (Mark), father, Arthur Sterling III, three sisters Monique, Dominique, and Jaden, two stepbrothers, Flint Mitchell and Brandon Bellow (Brooke).  Uncles, John D. Campbell (Junita), and Larry Sterling (Rita), Aunts, Mary Pittman, and Emily Sterling.  Godparents, Connie & Darryl Reder, and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.