Sophie Paulette Eason

Sophie Paulette Eason passed into the arms of Jesus at the age of 78 on July 27, 2024. She was the second of three children welcomed by her parents Stanley and Edith Smith. Sophie was a cherished daughter, wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, and friend. Even though she left us too soon, we rejoice that she is now in the presence of Christ. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Sophie had a big heart. She would light up a room wherever she went. She brought smiles and laughter to all she met. No one was a stranger to her. She would strike up conversations with all ages. Wherever she lived she always found a church to be a part of and made many friends over the years. Besides having a huge heart for people, Sophie loved animals of all sizes. She was an avid horse lover from the time she was a little girl and was able to own many horses over the years. On their five acres in Cathey’s Valley, she and her beloved husband Jim rescued many horses over the years, and enjoyed many animals: dogs, cats, and chickens.

Sophie was born June 22, 1946 in Coalinga, California, but spent the majority of her young and early adult years in Tuolumne County, California. She attended grammar school in Columbia, and graduated from Sonora High in 1964. She married young and was a wonderful homemaker and mom. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and quilting. She loved working with children, and throughout the years worked in the local school as a teacher’s aide, in a daycare, and even with severely handicapped children. Later in her forties Sophie went back to school and earned her Associates Degree at Merced Junior College. And when she became a grandma at 43 years of age, she thoroughly enjoyed making clothing and baby blankets for her grandchildren. Her grandchildren adored her and always joined in with her silliness and fun ways. She loved the outdoors and made many memories with her family in outings, camping, and time at lakes and rivers. She and Jim also spent time traveling in their fifth wheel trailer seeing new sights and sometimes accompanied by some of their grandchildren.

Sophie is survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Jim Eason; by her children Lora Snyder (John) of Rio Dell, Stacey Poole (Mladen) of Croatia, and Matt Poole (Kelli) of Sonora; 10 beloved grandchildren: Ian, Sara, Savannah, Aaron, Alex, Eva, Thomas, Steven, Makenna and Josie; 16 great-grandchildren; her first husband Joe Poole (Debbie); her brother Paul Smith (Paula); her sister Vicky Gregg (Mark); as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Sophie is preceded in death by her parents Stanley Smith and Edith Killian.

Our hearts are breaking with the loss of Sophie, but we know she is in a glorious place. Verses from Psalm 73 speak to our hearts:

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

A Celebration of Life for Sophie will be held on Saturday, August 17th at 11:00 a.m. at Hickman Community Church, 854 I Street, Hickman, California. All are welcome.