Toby Keith

Keith in 2010, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Toby Keith Covel

Date of Birth: July 8, 1961

Place of Birth: Clinton, Oklahoma, U.S.

Date of Death: February 5, 2024

Place of Death: Oklahoma, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, as well as German, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, distant Swedish and Dutch

Toby Keith was an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, businessperson, and record producer. His many hit songs included “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” described as the most-played country song of the 1990s; “Who’s That Man,” “Me Too,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight,” “I Wanna Talk About Me,” “My List,” “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” “Who’s Your Daddy?,” “Rock You Baby,” “Beer for My Horses,” “I Love This Bar,” “American Soldier,” “Whiskey Girl,” “As Good as I Once Was,” “Love Me If You Can,” “She Never Cried in Front of Me,” “God Love Her,” “American Ride,” and “Made in America.” He founded label Show Dog Nashville, later merging with Universal South Records to become Show Dog-Universal Music. He starred in the films Broken Bridges and Beer for My Horses, an extension of his song. His worldwide album sales total 40 million.

Toby was the son of Carolyn Joan and Hubert K. Covel, Jr. He was raised partly in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and then Moore, a suburb of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His grandmother owned Billie Garner’s Supper Club in Fort Smith. He was married to Tricia Lucus, until his death, with whom he had three children, including country music singer Krystal Keith.

Toby’s paternal grandfather was Hubert Kaye Covel (the son of John Henry Covel and Leslie/Lessie Arrinda Gibson). Hubert was born in Oklahoma. John was the son of James Coval/Covel and Sarah Jane Moore. Leslie was the daughter of Frank Marion Gibson and Sarah “Betty” Ausley.

Toby’s paternal grandmother was Hazel Kendrick/Stephens (the daughter of Andrew/Andy Ralph Stephens and Maude Mae Kendrick). Hazel was born in Texas or Oklahoma. Maude was the daughter of Orien Eli “Arnold” Kendrick and Mary Adaline Lawler.

Toby’s maternal grandfather was Henry Milburn Ross (the son of Henry Warren Ross and Callie Jacks). Toby’s grandfather Henry was born in Arkansas. Toby’s great-grandfather Henry was the son of Pellrova Vildi Ross and Madora Alice Lawrance. Callie was the daughter of John J. Jacks and Mariah P.

Toby’s maternal grandmother was Hilda Marie McCaslin (the daughter of Henry Emer/Ermer McCaslin and Rhoda Virginia Boss). Hilda was born in Arkansas. Henry was the son of William Webster McCaslin and Janetta Wilson. Rhoda was the daughter of Sirenius/Sirenus Jackson Boss and Charlotte Catherine Mann.

Sources: Genealogies of Toby Keith – http://www.wargs.com
https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Toby Keith (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.findagrave.com