Sonya Karen Bethea North

Sonya was preceded in death by her parents, Giles W. Bethea and Mildred S. Bethea, a brother, Merrill S.Bethea (Jo Nell), and a niece Kerry Anne Bethea.

Survivors: Husband Charles Mallory North, Jr., and son Nathan A. North, Sister Donna Hardin and Brother Noel D. Bethea (Velinda), Nephews Reed and Tyler Bethea (Charlsi), Ray Solomon (Melanie), Nieces Timmi Child (Carmol) and Dr. Karla Fisher (Frederick). A large number of extended family including cousins, great nephews, and great nieces.

Sonya was born in Jacksonville, Florida on February 4, 1940. She was educated at Lackawanna Elementary and John Gorrie Junior High in Jacksonville, Florida and at Baker County High School in Macclenny, Florida. She became a born again believer and faithful child of God on Palm Sunday in 1953, and was baptized on Easter Sunday, 1953, at Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville. On May 30, 1959, Sonya married Mallory North, her husband of 64 years. She faithfully supported and followed his educational and professional career wherever the Lord led them, during which she lived in Gainesville, Orlando, and West Palm Beach, Florida, then in Huntsville and Tuscaloosa Alabama, Plano Texas, Little Rock Arkansas, and finally 42 years in Terre Haute and Brazil Indiana. Sonya held a number of secretarial positions over the years, including that of secretary of the Chamber of Commerce in Brazil, Indiana. She also was for several years a Pinkerton guard at the main entrance of the Sony Compact Disc Plant in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Sonya was a physically beautiful child, teenager, adult, and senior. But her physical beauty was outshined by her inner beauty and character. She was a lover of children, animals, nature, the handicapped, and the elderly, always desiring to sacrificially love and help others before herself. She was a shining example of what it means to love Jesus, and to let His light shine through her service to others. She served the Lord faithfully in Churches everywhere she lived, and had ministries to the deaf and children that still flourish in the places that she served.

Even in death, Sonya served others as an organ donor. Her physical remains were cremated at the Dignity Roselawn Funeral Home in Terre Haute, and the ashes transported to the Dignity Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Jacksonville for burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Samaritan's Purse.

Online condolences and remembrances can be expressed at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries.