Sonya Cansler

Obituary For Sonya Cansler

Mrs. Sonya Alisa Cansler departed this life on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. She was born on December 26 1970, in Cleveland County, North Carolina to the late Juanita Gaston Jolley and William Douglas Surratt.

Sonya graduated from Crest High School, class of 1989. She joined Shiloh Baptist Church at an early age, participated in the youth choir as a child and was a faithful member. A woman of many titles, Sonya was a cosmetologist, a certified nursing assistant, caretaker, wife, sister, friend and so much more. Spending time with the ones she loved was most important to her. Sonya had the biggest heart and the most beautiful smile. She can be described as a witty, fun, fearless, independent, yet sensitive and incredibly compassionate woman. She loved traveling, swimming, cooking, shopping and being stylish.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Hattie Lee Ross Gaston (Joe) and Alexander Graham Bell; her paternal grandparents, William Albert Surratt, and Carrie Nell Twitty Surratt, paternal grandmother, Bertha Jolley. Her uncles Willie Gaston and Albert Surratt, aunts Rhetta Smoot, Shahiddah Bilal, sister Angela Surratt, and nephews Don’te Logan and Lawrence Wallace.

Sonya leaves to cherish her memories and celebration of her life, her husband Leeroy Cansler of 25 years, her father, Don Jolley of Kingstown NC; father-in-law Ronald Cansler and mother-in-law Christine Linder; seven siblings: Antwan Surratt (Sheba) of Charlotte, NC, Chris Surratt of Shelby, NC, Lauren Surratt of Charlotte NC, Demetreia Surratt of Waco, Texas, Adrienne Ingram of Hope Mills, NC, Brandy Hopper (Devon) of Bessemer City NC; Kendra Bullock (Joseph) of Shelby NC; one brother-in-law Michael Cansler of Shelby, NC; seven uncles: Nathaniel Gaston (Regina), Carl Gaston, Bobby Gaston (Dorothy), Steve Gaston (Catherine), Roger Surratt, Ivin Surratt, Alexander Bell Jr, and James Kelly Bell; nine aunts: Shirley Dixon (Rev. Larry), Elaine Gaston, Faye Gaston, Annette Parrott (Randolph), Marie Williams, Barbara Surratt, Helena Toms, Mary Sue Jolley, and Gloria Biggs.

Six nieces: Zonnie and Zayla Hamrick, Alanna Marvels, Harper Surratt, Martika Logan, Zaria Gaston. Five nephews Bryce Surratt, Solomon and Houston White, Marley Bullock and Maeson White, a host of relatives and special friends.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Shiloh Baptist Church. Burial will take place at Mundy’s Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until 1:00 PM on Wednesday and at other times at 807 Kings Road Shelby.