Tanya McMahan
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MCMAHAN, Tanya was born to the late Daniel and Mildred McMahan in September 1950, in Los Angeles, California. Her parents relocated to the San Fernando Valley in 1959, where the family attended Paradise Church of God in Christ, in Pacoima, California. Tanya attended San Fernando High School, Mission Community College, where she majored in Early Childhood Education, and eventually studied as an undergraduate at California State University at Northridge and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development.
Tanya met and married Dwight Cooley and two children were welcomed to this union: Vadrea Cooley and Raylen Cooley. Tanya eventually moved to Oxnard, California, where she was employed on the Executive Team, as a manager of the Child Development Resource of Ventura County and retired on September 30, 2020. Also worked as a consultant with AJWI. She resided in Oxnard for 25-years where she passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at 12:00 P.M.
Tanya loved to sing in her church choir at Bethel A.M.E. Church, where she was a long-time member. She was also president of the Lay Organization representing her church. The Lay Organization was established to instill in the membership of the church a love for, and an appreciation to the history, traditions, principles and development of African Methodism by encouraging, motivating, and educating all lay persons. She was an avid lover of live theater and had the opportunity to travel with her sister Maryetta McMahan to New York where she saw several live productions on Broadway. She also loved movies and a variety of music.
Tanya was inducted into membership of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, XI Kappa Omega Chapter. She was awarded Soror of the Year in 2019.
Tanya was preceded in death by her father, Daniel Robert McMahan, and mother Mildred McMahan. She is survived by her loving siblings: Maryetta H. McMahan who resides in Ventura, California; Elaine Dewberry and her husband Doc Dewberry, who reside in Rancho Cucamonga; Alicia Leonard and her husband Calvin Leonard, who reside in Ventura, California; Denise McMahan, who resides in Warren, Arkansas; and Daniel McMahan, Jr., who resides in Los Angeles, California. Tanya leaves behind 2 children, 4 grandchildren, 32 nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.
Viewing will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., at Garcia Mortuary, 629 South "A" Street, Oxnard, California. Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, previewing at 9:00 A.M., service 10:00 A.M., at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 855 South "F" Street, Oxnard, California, 93030. A Graveside service to follow at 3:00pm at Eternal Valley Memorial Park 23287 Sierra Hwy Newhall, Ca.
Officiating Reverend Benjamin N. Thomas, Pastor. COVID guidelines will be adhered to. https://www.facebook.com/bethellloxnardchurch; https://www.instagram.com/betheloxnardchurch; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVvaaA3efhfFVbxEh3MjQ; www.betheloxnardchurch.
For map, directions to ceremony locations, to sign the family's online guest book, share stories, and post pictures please visit www.garciamortuaryoxnard.com and click on Tanya's name below "Obituaries."
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the family owned and operated Garcia Mortuary, 629 South "A" Street, Oxnard, California. For further information please call (805) 486-9148.