Sonia Maria Dyer

Sonia lived a long and happy life of 99 years. She was born Feb. 28, 1924, in Karlsruhe, Germany, immigrating to America at the age of 2 along with her parents, Ludwig Wilhelm Richter and Maria Martha (Kleinheitz) Richter. They worked hard to learn the English language and were very proud when they became U.S. citizens.

Sonia grew up in Washington, D.C., graduating from Eastern High School. Upon graduating, she worked for Franzheim and Petticord which later was re-named Mills and Petticord, an architect firm. Sonia loved her job and the people she worked with. During the nine years she worked there, she married and remained employed until shortly before her first child, Tina, was born in 1951.

During WWII many families in Washington, D.C. set up apartments in their homes to rent out. Luck had it that Sonia's parents rented to Ernest and Addie Mae Powell. Addie Mae and her husband would visit Addie Mae's parents most every weekend. Her parents, Tom and Hattie Dyer, had a 27-acre farm with horses, chickens, cats, dogs, etc. Sonia was always invited to go with them. She loved the family and had always loved the country and animals. It was there that she met Addie Mae's younger brother, Jimmy. He was 17 at the time and Sonia was 15. He usually headed for the woods, or Caine's Creek, when he saw his sister and brother-in-law coming with "the city girl." Sonia, needless to say during this time, did not think much of this country boy.

Fast forward, when Jimmy was 21, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent 2 years stationed in Hawaii. During this time, he got over his shyness and came home a much more confident young man. Sonia has continued visiting with Addie Mae and Ernest during this time. The day Jimmy was discharged, he came into Union Station and no one was there to greet him. He made calls to several friends, all of whom were working. His last call was to Sonia. She was thrilled that he called her, not learning until years later that she was the last one on his list! She asked her boss, who was very patriotic, if she could leave work to meet him. She always said "he saved the best for last." A couple of years later they married on May 3, 1947.

Tina was their first-born child. When Tina was two months old, Sonia, "her Jimmy", and Tina moved to Jimmy's parent's farm in Lorton, VA, in the Gunston area. There they completed their family of five children: Christina (Tina), Bonny, Thomas (Tuck), James (Rocky), and John (Horsey).

In 1962, the family moved to Culpeper, VA, for a year and a half and then on Sonia's 40th birthday, Feb. 28, 1964, moved to Clifton, VA, which remained her home the rest of her life. Sonia began working for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Services in 1967 as secretary to the Fire Chief. She retired in 1986 after 19 years of service.

Sonia had a very strong faith in God, loved her family, and friends. Weekends were filled with friends, many of whom Jimmy grew up with who also had children. Gardening was one of Sonia's favorite pastimes, which she continued to do until just after her 98th birthday. Her love of animals remained during her lifetime. The last few years of Sonia's life, after her last cat passed, she began feeding a family of racoons, opossums, an occasional fox, and two cats belonging to neighbors. Every evening she placed bowls of water and cat food on her back porch and would watch as the animals came up for their dinner.

Sonia could not have been happier than when her children married and began giving her grandchildren. She had always longed for siblings of her own so she always wanted a large family. She was Mamaw to 7 grandchildren: Julie Christine Jones Shaffer, Amber Maria Dyer Krupinski, Thomas William Dyer, Jr., Jason Michael Stephens, Laura Kathleen Stephens Young, Brandy Leigh Dyer Mueller, and Jonathan Luke Dyer, great Mamaw to 8 great grandchildren: Kori Lynn Shaffer Goultiex, Olivia Christine Shaffer, Madelyn Grace Krupinski, Noah Elliot Krupinski, Vanessa Maria Stephens, Brayden Carter Mueller, Dylan James Young, Penelope Evelyn Dyer and great-great Memaw to Jonah Alexander Goultiex.

Sonia would say she was grateful for all she had in her life, blessed with family and friends whom she loved. We in return give thanks to God for granting us the blessing of having had this beautiful soul in our lives. Rest in peace Sonia, until we meet again, for you are amongst the Angels, reunited once again with your loved ones who passed before you.