Sonja Gilda (White) Phoenix

Sonja Gilda White Phoenix, 74, entered into eternal rest on May 30, 2023. She was born January 29,1949, in Warrington, Florida, to Gertrude White.

Sonja attended public schools in Escambia County and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1965. She discovered a passion for public service as a volunteer for the American Red Cross. This desire to help others led her to work with non-profit agencies such as Community Action and the Otis Smith Foundation. She was ambitious and had high expectations for professional success. Sonja was employed in private industry by Monsanto as an Administrative Technician and enlisted in the Florida National Guard and achieved the rank of Specialist 5th Class (E5).

She was joined in holy matrimony to Joseph Harold Phoenix on December 7, 1977, in Pensacola, Florida. The two celebrated 45 years of marriage built on a strong friendship and unconditional love.

Sonja’s greatest joy came from spending time with family and friends. She will be remembered for opening her home to many friends and family members, her contagious laughter, beautiful smile, and famous line when ending a phone call, “Take care of yourself!” She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her loving mother, Gertrude White Roulhac; sister, Cynthia White Bryant; grandmother, Ruth McKinnis Bryant and grandfather, Ralph White Sr.

Mrs. Phoenix leaves to cherish her memories, her devoted husband, Joseph Phoenix; three daughters, Crystal M. Timmons (Gabriel), Raleigh, NC, Judy Phoenix, Orange Park, FL, Nicole Phoenix-Ulloa (Jeff), Orange Park, FL.; nine grandchildren, Bria Brown (Cal), Nicholas Spencer, Janea Ruiz (Lester), Amber Harrell, E’mari Richardson, Lauren Cintron (Bryan), Jayden Ulloa, Marlo Ulloa, and L.J. Ulloa; eight great- grandchildren, Cameron Brown, Kayden Postell, Makayla Spencer, Londyn Ruiz, Karter Postell, Maddison Brown, Mars Campbell, and Lester Ruiz III; two sisters: Faith Hayes (George), and Valarie White, both of Pensacola, FL; a “twin” brother, Jimmie White, Boston, MA.; four sisters-in-love: Julia Williams (Donald), Rockledge, FL, Harriet Phoenix-Fernander, Ramona Froyze (Noel), Jacksonville, FL. and Donna Hughes, St. Augustine, FL, and a host of special nieces and nephews, family and friends.

The family of the late Sonja Phoenix thanks you for your prayers, visits, phone calls, flowers, food, donations, and other acts of kindness during this time of bereavement. A special expression of gratitude is extended to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, and Cancer Specialists of North Florida.

“…. weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”- Psalm 30:5

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Feed the Children, www.feedthechildren.org.

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