Sonjia Mayes

Sonjia Marie (May) Mayes, of Alliance, went home to be with the Lord on January 5, 2015 after a long illness. She passed away peacefully at her home.

She was born March 1, 1944 in Alliance, Ohio, and lived most of her life in the Alliance area. She attended the Science Hill One-Room School and then graduated from Marlington Local Schools in 1962. She studied nursing at Walsh University and worked many years in banking and health care. She retired from her work as a receptionist for Dr. Thomas Krupko in 2000.

She loved God's creation and spending time outdoors. She enjoyed all kinds of sports, including tennis, golf, swimming, roller skating and ice skating, horseback riding, boating, water-skiiing and watching football. She also loved to cook, sew, write poetry, and create scrapbooks. Her favorite memories were camping at Black Moshannon State Park, taking her kids to Niagara Falls and trips to the beach, and watching her sons grown into fine men, good husbands, and wonderful fathers.

Sonjia was an active part of both Aldersgate United Methodist Church and Science Hill Community Church.

She was devoted to her family and is survived by her children, Christopher (Shalleen) Mayes of Alliance; Stephan (Denise) Mayes of Alliance; and Derek Mayes of Pepper Pike; sisters, Patty Szekely of Alliance and Nancy Yoder of Uniontown; eight beloved grandchildren: Derick, Nick, Joe, Alex, Kelsey, Luke, Hunter, and Mason; and many treasured friends, including Linda Bolyard, Karen Fudoli, Judy Hess, Debbie Dorsey, Noodie Martin, Bo and Richard Cornelius, and Marty Tyree.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel "Zeb" May and Lucile May; and brother, Ronnie May.

The family will celebrate her life on January 17, 2015, at.Science Hill Community Church, 12316 Beeson St. NE, Alliance, Ohio, with Pastor Jonathan Truax officiating the service. The family will receive friends from 2 to 5 p.m. The memorial service will begin at 5 p.m. followed by a meal.

The family would like to thank the Alliance Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice and Caring Hands of Alliance Community Hospital for their love, support, and wonderful care. Memorial donations can be made to Caring Hands.