Sonya Mozelle Sanders, affectionately known as Hooch to those who knew her best, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2024, in Greenville, SC. Born on October 16, 1968, in Anderson, SC, she was a beacon of light and joy throughout her 55 years of life.
Sonya was a proud graduate of Hart County High School, where she cultivated her love for singing, playing basketball and discovering her talent for creative endeavors. Her voice was a source of comfort and happiness not only to her family but also to everyone who had the pleasure of hearing her sing. Sonya was a woman of many interests, from collecting and playing the guitar to engaging in DIY projects to mastering the art of spray painting. Her hands were rarely still, always busy with a new project or plan. She had an incomparable knack for building campfires, a skill that turned many evenings into warm memories under the starlit sky.
A loving and faith-filled soul, Sonya's sense of humor was as infectious as it was endearing. She could light up a room with her laughter and had a unique ability to find joy in the simple things of life. Her family was her pride and joy, and she leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter that will be cherished by all who knew her.
Sonya was preceded in death by her mother, Susan Sanders, her grandparents Cleo and Mozelle Sanders, and her uncles Broughton, Collier, Hollis, Gary, Dennis, Stanley, and Terry Sanders. Her aunts Dorothy Sanders-Smith, Marion Sanders, Barbara Sanders, Sylvia Sanders, and Maria Sanders, as well as her cousins Vince, Nick, Lonnie, and John Sanders, have also passed before her.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Alleigh Sanders and her husband Eric, Landyn, Foster, Reagan, Cyndi Waters, and Billie Waters; her son Braylon Baer; her grandchildren, who were the apples of her eye; her brother, Shane Moore; her dear aunt, Ina Sanders; and her cherished cousins, Stephanie Sanders Lack and her husband Lamar, Deborah Sanders Piland and her husband Randy, Amy Sanders Cunningham and her husband Jim, and Valarie Sanders Jakes and her husband Brian. Sonya's love extended to her nephew Ryan Moore and her dog Peanut (Jewels), all who will miss her dearly.
Sonya's life was a testament to her unshakeable spirit and her capacity to love unconditionally. Her absence will be profoundly felt, but the memories she created will continue to bring comfort and smiles to those she left behind. Her legacy will live on in the laughter of her grandchildren, the songs that she sang, and the countless lives she touched with her kindness and humor.
As we bid farewell to Sonya Mozell, we celebrate the life of a remarkable woman whose warmth and joviality knew no bounds. Her journey on earth may have concluded, but her light will continue to shine in the hearts of her family and friends forevermore. Sonya's life was a beautiful melody, a composition of love, faith, and joy that will echo through the generations.
A private ceremony will be held to honor Sonya's memory. Her life will be commemorated in the same way she lived it—with love, laughter, and a song in our hearts. We take solace in knowing that Sonya is now at peace, reunited with her beloved family members who have gone before her, and singing with the angels in perfect harmony.