Tonia M Oldham

Veteran, author, speaker, lecturer, singer, and encourager. Native of Lakeland, FL and graduate of Kathleen Senior High School. Received Associate Degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and the Insurance Institute of America--AIS and API insurance designations. Also, received a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Education from Wayland Baptist University and an MBA from Saint Leo University. Recently retired from the Department of Military Science at Florida Southern College.

Served almost 24 years in the Air Force retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank. Only the top 1% of all enlisted members achieve this rank. Served at various military installations and locations, which included the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Air Staff at the Pentagon, Washington DC; the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; and Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Also served at Chanute Air Force Base, IL; Robins Air Force Base, GA; Castle Air Force Base, CA; and Kelly Air Force Base, TX.

Military decorations and awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medals; Air Force Commendation Medals; Air Staff Senior NCO of the Year; and Ramstein Air Base NCO of the Year. Civilian awards and recognitions include the Superior Civilian Service Award, Commander's Award for Civilian Service, and the Army Achievement Medal. Selected as the 2018 Cadet Command Human Resources Assistant of the Year, which encompasses the entire United States and it's territories. Received the Girl's Incorporated of Lakeland "She Knows Where She is Going" and "New Rotarian of the Year" Awards.

In addition to co-authoring Life Beyond Grief...Remembering God's Promises with my husband Charles, also authored Life Beyond Adversities...Memoirs of a Military Chief. Charles is co-owner of H.W. Oldham Funeral Home and we have four adult children. We attend New Bethel A.M.E. Church, Lakeland, FL.