Tonya Michelle Mason-Wade was born November 10, 1967 to Louis and Lorene Mason.  She confessed a belief in Christ at an early age at St. Peter East M.B. Church where she was later baptized.

After completing her education at Greenville High School, she entered Mississippi Delta Community College to study nursing and later entered Baptist School of Nursing in Dermott, AR, where she earned her degree to become a certified registered nurse.  She was a devoted nurse for many years.

On December 26, 1991, she was joined in holy matrimony to Terry Wade, Sr. and to this union three children were born.