Desiree Marion Toms was born in Charleston, SC on September 21, 1972 to James Huston Toms and Susan Beliveau Toms. She passed away surrounded by loved ones on Friday, July 31, 2026 in Hendersonville NC, following an extended battle with leukemia.
Desiree graduated from Faith Christian School in Hendersonville and received a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.
Desiree lived a life of faith in a mighty God. She believed in the power of prayer and faced her illness fully relying on God ‘s sufficiency and trusting in Him every step of her journey.
Desiree adored animals, horses, cats, dogs and especially her two beloved dogs Lilyanna and Gracie and spending time volunteering with a hound dog rescue and other local organizations.
Desiree lived a life of compassion and deep care for others, with the unique ability to connect with people. In her work with her father, Jim, she put these gifts to daily use guiding clients through challenging moments. Her capacity for empathy, for all living things, was a bright light that shined into the lives of all who knew her.
She is survived by her mother Susan of Hendersonville, NC and sister Megan of Chattanooga, TN. She was preceded in death by her father James Huston Toms.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 29, at 2pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2101 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the SECU Family House in Winston Salem which supported us during Desiree’s many hospital stays at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital (https://www.familyhousews.org/donate 1970 Baldwin Lane, Winston Salem, NC 27103) or the American Black & Tan Coon Hound Dog Rescue (https://coonhoundrescue.com/donate).
Condolences may be sent to the Toms family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or C/O Jackson Funeral Service 1101 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Please include the name of the deceased on the condolence.