Brenyale Elizabeth Toomer-Byas, daughter of Brenda Toomer and Roger Byas, was born March 24, 1982, in Inglewood, California. Affectionately known as Granny/Brennie, her formative schooling included Liberty Christian Preschool and Academy, and Vista Verde Elementary K-8 school. She later attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. She professed her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age.

Upon graduating from Mater Dei High School, she enrolled in her dream school, USC, where she double majored in religion and political science. Her initial career goal was law school, but God had other plans. She loved her undergraduate experience at USC and decided to enroll there for her graduate studies. Brenyale would later earn an MSW degree with a concentration in Community Organization, Planning, and Administration (COPA). During her time at USC, Brenyale was actively involved in the campus community: USC Office of Residential and Greek Life as a Resident Advisor, work-study with the USC Office of Admissions, and Saved By Grace Gospel Choir.

Her passion was giving back to her community. She served as Vice-President of the University of Southern California's (USC) Alumni Club of Newport-Irvine, where she chaired the Club's Scholarship Committee and annual "SCend Off" event. She also served as the Coordinator for Christ Our Redeemer's AME Church's Daughters of Destiny Program and as a Field Instructor and Guest Lecturer for USC's Master of Social Work Program.

Her faith and devotion to God were vital to her. She fellowshipped with the following ministries: First AME (Los Angeles, CA), Free Chapel OC (Irvine, CA), Christ Our Redeemer AME Church (Irvine, CA), Friendship Baptist Church (Yorba Linda, CA), El Shaddai Christian Church (Los Angeles, CA) and most recently Mission Purpose Fellowship (Irvine, CA). During the covid-19 pandemic, when churches were closed to the public, Brenyale stepped into her purpose (birthed a vision God placed inside her) and instituted a quarterly jam session held on Zoom, which allowed believers from across the nation to dig deeper into God's word and jam to uplifting and inspirational gospel artists. Her favorite gospel artists include Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, Israel Houghton, New Breed, Smokie Norful, and Marvin Sapp. Other favorite musical artists include Ledisi, John Legend, and Fantasia. The family was also significant to Brenyale; during the covid-19 pandemic, God placed it upon her heart to bring the family together via Zoom. She collaborated with her mother to create a monthly theme in which the family would pray, praise God and give testimonies of God's goodness.

Brenyale's hobbies included: going to the cinema, plays, gospel concerts and driving down Pacific Coast Highway in her dream car (a Lexus), and enjoying delicious food at various restaurants around the city. She loved spending time with her friends and family. Frequently, she would organize social outings for her friends or family to get together and fellowship over delicious food and entertainment. She especially loved her cousin Kellye's home-cooked meals, and she often encouraged her to start a food truck or restaurant. Her favorite restaurants/dining establishments included: Del Taco, Lucille's BBQ, Olive Garden, and Stonefire Grill.

Brenyale devoted herself to the social work profession as Manager of Community Investments at Orange County United Way (OCUW), one of the County's largest funders of health and human services. She had a passion for empowering underrepresented and underserved individuals. During her 15-year tenure at Orange County United Way, she led and oversaw several major initiatives and partnerships that garnered local and national attention.

She also served as the organization's first Executive Director of United for Financial Security, actively coaching and developing teams and managing relationships with various stakeholders to achieve critical objectives. Most recently, she stepped out on faith and started her own consulting business, Brenyale Toomer-Byas consulting.

Brenyale E. Toomer-Byas transitioned from this life on November 5, 2022. Brenyale was preceded in death by multiple family members. She leaves to honor and cherish her memory: her mother, Brenda Toomer of Irvine and father Roger Byas of Texas; Great aunt Birdie Brown, her five aunts Flora Miles (Los Angeles), Tonie Ann Ratclieff (Rialto), and Jacqueline Weeks (Los Angeles), Emma Johnson and Gertrude Durham (Carl) (Texas), siblings Billie Mallett (Joseph), Bonnie Moss-Byas (Ananda), and Belinda Byas, Nieces (Makayla Byas, Imani Moss-Byas), three God-children (Terrence Joseph Filer, Vanae Filer, Vanessa Filer) and a host of cousins and friends.

To honor Brenyale's life and legacy, we are establishing the Brenyale Toomer-Byas Scholarship for Emerging Leaders. Brenyale was so passionate about the pursuit of higher education. An annual scholarship will be awarded to one Orange County non-profit leader seeking to pursue post-graduate studies. Contributions to the scholarship fund may be made at www.unitedwayoc.org .

To donate to the USC School of Social Work in Brenyale's name, please CLICK ON:

https://giveto.usc.edu/schools-centers-and-institutes-schools-usc-suzanne-dworak-peck-school-of-social-work

1. Select "USC Social Work Annual Fund"

2. When prompted note In Memory of Brenyale Toomer-Byas

If you have questions, please contact:

- Asha Jayasinghe, Chief Development Officer, USC School of Social Work at ajayasin@usc.edu or (626) 241-0771

To view Webcasting of Services, please follow the link below.

https://webcasts.lifetributes.com/1242429