Tonya was born on May 29, 1971 in Michigan City, Indiana where she lived until she was 12 years old. Her mom and dad, Joyce and Robert moved her and her brother Chris to Osceola, Arkansas in 1983. They started going to Bethel Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, under the leadership of Pastor Bobby Tidwell. She was baptized in Jesus name and filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in another tongue (according to Acts 2:38)