Obituary of Sonja Somers

Sonja Leigh Somers Sonja Leigh Somers (Sissy), of Forest, Virginia went to her heavenly home on June 8, 2011, with her loving husband at her side, after a nine year battle with breast cancer. Born July 2, 1948 in Waynesboro, Virginia, she is the daughter of Martin B. and Ruth Lucille Duncan. She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband of twenty-six years, Mike Somers; her daughter, Melissa Dawn Ruiz, of Forest, Virginia; her son-in-law, Jason Albert Ruiz, of Forest, Virginia; and her son, Curtis Arnett Cook, of Forest, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her firstborn son, Ronald Glenn Hyden. She is also survived by her brother, Gary Wayne Dunaway, and his wife, Judy, of Waynesboro, Virginia; her step-sister, Rita Ellen Duncan, of Waynesboro, Virginia; and her granddaughter, Sydney Quinn Cook, of Lynchburg, Virginia. Sydney held a special place in her grandma?s heart from day one. In addition, she had a very special niece, Mary Ellen Zimmerman, of Waynesboro, Virginia, whom she considered one of her own children; and Mary?s daughter, KarLeigh Grace Howdyshell, who is named after Sissy. Sissy is also survived by a large number of relatives and close friends. Sissy was preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law, Nelson and Ruth Somers, and her maternal grandparents, Clem and Mary Campbell. She was a loving wife, mother, MeeMaw, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a long-time member of Clearview Baptist Church and Living Word Baptist Church. She sang gospel music for many years and enjoyed church. Sissy was self-employed with her own cleaning business for twenty-three years until she became sick. Her clients were also her close friends, as Sissy loved and cherished all she came in contact with. Sissy had a very giving heart and loved life and people; she never met a stranger. The family will receive friends at Diuguid Funeral Chapel, located at 21914 Timberlake Road, on Sunday, from 2-4 PM, and at other times at her residence at 174 Willow Oak Terrace, Forest, Virginia. A celebration of Sissy?s life will be conducted on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 2:00 pm by Pastor J.D. Critcher at Diuguid Waterlick Chapel. Interment to follow at Fort Hill Memorial PArk. For those wishing to make a memorial donation, please consider the Lynchburg Humane Society: 3305 Naval Reserve Rd. Lynchburg, VA 24501. Diuguid Funeral Service & Crematory-Waterlick Chapel, 237-2722, is serving the family.