Obituary for Sonya Easley
December 31, 1960 was a day like no other. It was on this day that Sonya Renee Easley was introduced to the world
through her parents, Goldie Marie Easley and McCurley Brown. “Renee” was the seventh of eight children. Her parents
and siblings Genora, Sarah, and Ray preceded her in death.
Renee was raised as a princess on the west side of Chicago. She was lavished by her parents who taught her that the
best was the only option. She began school at Skinner Elementary School and later transferred to Hertzl Elementary
School. All the kids adored her beauty and huge personality. Later, the family moved to their own home on Fulton St.
where she grew into the Queen of the neighborhood. Renee then attended Spencer Elementary School and Austin High
School.
Beautifully statuesque and self-confident, the Queen shared love through her gift of communication. When she spoke
everybody listened. As a teen and young adult, Renee was a runway model whose perfect figure only enhanced design-
ers’ fashion creations. Renee always had an eye for opulence and style. She had a closet that had a closet to have a
look for every day of the week.
Renee established the Easley Educational Institute where she provided advocacy and acquired academic tools for stu-
dents in Chicago Public Alternative High Schools. She tirelessly counseled hundreds of students, helping them focus on
their own successful futures while eliminating the hurt from their pasts. Ms. Sonya, as she was known to her students,
treated every student like they personally belonged to her, sharing love, wisdom, and motivation throughout their high
school experience and beyond. She showed empathy and grace for her students, guiding them through tough life transi-
tions - as she has also done with many outside the classroom.
Renee followed in the footsteps of her mother, Goldie, and became Queen Mother. Everyone respected and honored
“Ms. Renee.” Renee was a community leader, fighting tirelessly to improve the quality of life of the residents of Fulton
St. She could be found discussing the politics of the neighborhood with a smile and quick wit.
Renee accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was a member of Living Word. Renee loved the Lord and shared that
love with her neighbors. A servant of the Lord, Renee delighted in sharing a Bible verse, feeding neighbors, and provid-
ing clothing for children. Renee only knew how to show love.
Renee’s greatest accomplishment was giving birth to her legacy of eight children, whom she loved unconditionally. She
uniquely mothered her children as individuals. Renee was happy to have so many children because she always wanted a
big family. Family was everything to her, and she loved being a mother. She used her own life experiences to take each
of them on a journey called life. She gave her children the best of everything she could provide while grooming them to
be the best versions of themselves. Renee saw each of her best qualities in her children and took pride in them.
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, Renee was reunited with her beloved son Abraham McGold, and transitioned from
her earth suit into her heavenly garments. Her children will continue to build on her amazing legacy—Pia Renee, Helen
Ortega, Brittany Sarah, Robynne Eliza, Gregory McDiamond, Avery McPlatinum, and Anna Mae. She also leaves to
cherish her memories: grandchildren—Piarre, Myha, Heaven, Aaron, Darien, Malani, and Ayla; brothers and sisters—
John (Ernestine), Robert (Mary), Jeffrey (Cheryl), Robynne (Robert), and sister-in-law Patricia (widow of Ray); niece
LaRhonda who was reared as her sister; godchildren—Akeem and Aubrey; and a host of additional nieces, nephews,
cousins, and friends.
December 31, 1960 - January 6, 2021
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Visitation: 10:00 a.m Service: 10:30 a.m.
Johnson Funeral Home
5838 W. Division St. Chicago, Illinois 60651
Reverend Janis Taylor, Officia ting
Processional
Clergy and Family
Scripture
Old Testament Scripture
New Testament Scripture
Prayer
Selection
“Tributes To Sonya”
2 min. please
Reading of Obituary
Dr. Patricia Easley
Acknowledgements
Dr Patricia Easley
“Tributes To Sonya from Her Children”
2 min. please
Selection
Ms. Pia Renee Easley
“The Good News”
Rev. Janis Arlene Sharpe
“The Last Word”
Rev. Janis Marie Taylor
Benediction
Reviewal
Recessional
through her parents, Goldie Marie Easley and McCurley Brown. “Renee” was the seventh of eight children. Her parents
and siblings Genora, Sarah, and Ray preceded her in death.
Renee was raised as a princess on the west side of Chicago. She was lavished by her parents who taught her that the
best was the only option. She began school at Skinner Elementary School and later transferred to Hertzl Elementary
School. All the kids adored her beauty and huge personality. Later, the family moved to their own home on Fulton St.
where she grew into the Queen of the neighborhood. Renee then attended Spencer Elementary School and Austin High
School.
Beautifully statuesque and self-confident, the Queen shared love through her gift of communication. When she spoke
everybody listened. As a teen and young adult, Renee was a runway model whose perfect figure only enhanced design-
ers’ fashion creations. Renee always had an eye for opulence and style. She had a closet that had a closet to have a
look for every day of the week.
Renee established the Easley Educational Institute where she provided advocacy and acquired academic tools for stu-
dents in Chicago Public Alternative High Schools. She tirelessly counseled hundreds of students, helping them focus on
their own successful futures while eliminating the hurt from their pasts. Ms. Sonya, as she was known to her students,
treated every student like they personally belonged to her, sharing love, wisdom, and motivation throughout their high
school experience and beyond. She showed empathy and grace for her students, guiding them through tough life transi-
tions - as she has also done with many outside the classroom.
Renee followed in the footsteps of her mother, Goldie, and became Queen Mother. Everyone respected and honored
“Ms. Renee.” Renee was a community leader, fighting tirelessly to improve the quality of life of the residents of Fulton
St. She could be found discussing the politics of the neighborhood with a smile and quick wit.
Renee accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was a member of Living Word. Renee loved the Lord and shared that
love with her neighbors. A servant of the Lord, Renee delighted in sharing a Bible verse, feeding neighbors, and provid-
ing clothing for children. Renee only knew how to show love.
Renee’s greatest accomplishment was giving birth to her legacy of eight children, whom she loved unconditionally. She
uniquely mothered her children as individuals. Renee was happy to have so many children because she always wanted a
big family. Family was everything to her, and she loved being a mother. She used her own life experiences to take each
of them on a journey called life. She gave her children the best of everything she could provide while grooming them to
be the best versions of themselves. Renee saw each of her best qualities in her children and took pride in them.
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, Renee was reunited with her beloved son Abraham McGold, and transitioned from
her earth suit into her heavenly garments. Her children will continue to build on her amazing legacy—Pia Renee, Helen
Ortega, Brittany Sarah, Robynne Eliza, Gregory McDiamond, Avery McPlatinum, and Anna Mae. She also leaves to
cherish her memories: grandchildren—Piarre, Myha, Heaven, Aaron, Darien, Malani, and Ayla; brothers and sisters—
John (Ernestine), Robert (Mary), Jeffrey (Cheryl), Robynne (Robert), and sister-in-law Patricia (widow of Ray); niece
LaRhonda who was reared as her sister; godchildren—Akeem and Aubrey; and a host of additional nieces, nephews,
cousins, and friends.
December 31, 1960 - January 6, 2021
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Visitation: 10:00 a.m Service: 10:30 a.m.
Johnson Funeral Home
5838 W. Division St. Chicago, Illinois 60651
Reverend Janis Taylor, Officia ting
Processional
Clergy and Family
Scripture
Old Testament Scripture
New Testament Scripture
Prayer
Selection
“Tributes To Sonya”
2 min. please
Reading of Obituary
Dr. Patricia Easley
Acknowledgements
Dr Patricia Easley
“Tributes To Sonya from Her Children”
2 min. please
Selection
Ms. Pia Renee Easley
“The Good News”
Rev. Janis Arlene Sharpe
“The Last Word”
Rev. Janis Marie Taylor
Benediction
Reviewal
Recessional