Sonya Renee Johnson   Superior Township, MI

Sonya Renee (Harper-Payne) Johnson, 49, faithful Believer, loving and devoted wife, dedicated daughter, steadfast sister and compassionate friend, heeded God’s call to His arms on Friday, May 18, 2018. She earned her wings mercifully and peacefully at home in Superior Township (Ypsilanti), Michigan.

Sonya loved the Lord. She studied His Word daily and let it breathe through her for comfort and strength. She was a member of Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield, MI, and also attended Northridge Church in Plymouth, MI.

Sonya had a strong entrepreneurial spirit. When she put her mind to something, she saw it through. So much so that from 1998 to 2008, she built and ran IceScapes Italian Ice and Ice Cream restaurant in Ypsilanti, MI as founder and CEO. That spirit carried into other ventures as well.

Sonya adored her husband, Ron Johnson, and showered him with love. The two met in 1992 at Tuskegee University where Sonya was a Sigma Sweetheart for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Ron was a member of Phi Beta Sigma. The bond they shared was powerful and was consummated on August 20, 1994 when the two were married at St. Daniel’s United Methodist Church in Chester, PA.

Sonya loved to travel. She hot-air-ballooned over the California wine country, rode the nose of a dolphin in Cozumel, piloted an underwater scooter in Cancun, hiked the hills of Haiti, climbed waterfalls in Jamaica, blew glass sculptures in Corning, sailed the waters of the Caribbean, the Great Lakes and the Finger Lakes; screamed at the top of her lungs on the roller coasters of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida; zip-lined through the Hocking Hills of Ohio, soared over the Appalachians in a glider, and skied the slopes of Boyne Mountain.

Sonya was a 1987 graduate of Chichester High School in Upper Chichester, PA. In 1992, Sonya received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL. Sonya continued her education at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI where she studied Accounting and Information Systems from 1997 to 1998.

Sonya, nicknamed Poo Bear (Poo), was born on February 15, 1969 to Carolyn L. Payne of Upper Chichester, PA and the late Reverend Willard E. Harper of Chester, PA.

Sonya is survived by her husband of 23 years, Ron J. Johnson; her mother, Carolyn L. Payne of Upper Chichester, PA; her grand-aunt Estella Paulin of Washington, D.C.; her parents-in-law Rev. Dr. James L. and Alma J. Johnson of Dothan, AL; her godson N’chi Clark of Collingdale (Chester), PA, her brothers, Chet C. Payne of Chester, PA,  Edwin Harper of Chester, PA; her brother-in-law Bruce (Melanie) Johnson of Houston, TX; her sisters, Shelia (James) Brown of Woodbridge, VA, Benita Harper of Claymont, DE; her nephews Shamiel and Shawn Wanamaker of New Castle, DE, Brenton Harper of Claymont, DE, Kyle L. Brown of Fort Polk, LA, James Brown, Jr. of Norfolk, VA, Austin J. and Cameron N. Johnson of Houston, TX; her life-long friend, Dionne (Clark) Deloatch of Collingdale (Chester), PA; and host of family, in-laws and friends.

A joyful memorial service for Sonya will take place at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 26, 2018, at St. Daniels United Methodist Church at 315 Edwards St, Chester, PA, 19013. Pastor Herbert Coe officiating. To honor Sonya, the family requests everyone adorn something (ribbon, tie, etc.) in purple, Sonya’s favorite color.

Pennsylvania arrangements will be coordinated by Catherine B. Laws Funeral Home, 2126 W 4th St., Chester, PA 19013, (610) 494-6565.

Michigan arrangements are coordinated by McCabe Funeral Home of Canton, MI.

As Sonya was passionate about helping our youth, charitable donations in her name can be made to The Youth Connection (www.theyouthconnection.org, (313) 826-7099).