Sonya Lea Adkins (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Sonya Lea Adkins, daughter of Hershel and Julia Cansler Massey, was born February 4, 1935, near Phillipsburg, Missouri. She departed this life Tuesday, March 21, 2017, in Mercy Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-two years, ten months, and seventeen days.
On January 16, 1956, she was united in marriage to William Joseph “Billy Joe” Adkins, and to this union one daughter was born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Billy Joe, on February 26, 1996; and four sisters, Marie Smith, Fay Akey, Maxine Meents, and Pansy Turner.
Sonya is survived by a daughter, Ranieta Adkins, of Lebanon, Missouri; two grandsons, Dylan Burd and husband Mauricio, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Darrick Burd and wife Kelsey, of Long Lane, Missouri; two great-grandsons, Dakston, and Owen, both of Long Lane, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; five sisters-in-law, Nadine Newton, of Camdenton, Missouri, Kathryn Jenkins, Mary VanStavern, Helen Adkins, and Imogene Adkins, all of Lebanon, Missouri; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in the Phillipsburg and Long Lane areas and graduated from Phillipsburg High School. After she and Billy Joe were married, they made their home in the Lebanon area and lovingly raised their daughter. Sonya was a devoted and hardworking homemaker to her husband and family throughout the years, and also helped Billy Joe at the car lot. She enjoyed all the kids who worked for them over the years.
Sonya was a longtime member of the Church of Christ.
In her spare time she enjoyed going to the Lake and loved animals, particularly her Dachshund dog, “Sambo”. One of her special adventures was going to the Bearmarket with her friend, Veta. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed her grandsons.
Sonya was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during her lifetime.
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