Barbara Sonner Obituary

Barbara Sonner

Aiken, SC - Barbara Gail Sonner went to be with the Lord on November 18, 2025.

Barbara and her beloved husband, Charles L. Sonner, were involved in a four-car collision on October 13, 2025. Both were transported to the trauma unit in Augusta, Georgia, where they spent the following month in and out of the ICU. Barbara was later transferred to a post-acute rehabilitation facility in Aiken, South Carolina, where she passed peacefully on November 18. Charles was subsequently transferred to the same facility and passed four days later. After 39 years of a love-filled marriage, they were reunited in eternity.

Barbara was born on February 28, 1942, in Arlington, Virginia, to Neil McLeod Fink and Anna Belle Toney Fink. She was preceded in death by her parents, her baby brother, Neil Fink, Jr., and her baby sister, Catherine Elaine Riehn.

Still on this side of heaven, Barbara leaves behind her three daughters: Vera Lynn Brayton, Dawn Michelle Hubbard, and Paulette Atkinson. She also leaves her cherished grandchildren: Jesse McLeod, Charles Lyons, Elaine (Lainee) Lyons, James Hubbard, Lauren Burnett, and Chase Atkinson. Her great-grandchildren include Jesse McLeod, Neil McLeod, Kayden Burnett, Olivia Burnett, Asher Atkinson, and baby Lyric Burnett, expected soon.

Barbara was raised in a loving home reminiscent of the classic sitcom Father Knows Best, though everyone knew that Nannie held plenty of sway. Her brother was an Eagle Scout who learned to fly, her baby sister had a flair for fashion and the finer things in life, and Barbara found her joy wherever there were four legs. Horses were her passion, and the stable was her happy place. Her heart and home were always open to animals in need. A magnet on her refrigerator read, "Hurt an animal, go to jail," and anyone who knew Barbara knew she meant it.

Barbara was famous among family and friends for her birthday phone calls. Every year, without fail, she would call and sing Happy Birthday. Even as her memory began to fail, those calls were treasured and deeply missed.

Barbara worked as a patent stenographer in Crystal City, where she met her future husband in the most charming way imaginable. She met her mailman. Charlie, a letter carrier for nearly 30 years, private pilot and avid motorcyclist, asked her out, and the rest was history. Together, Barb and Charlie served the Lord faithfully. Barbara loved hugs, never met a stranger, and had a gift for making people feel seen and welcome.

In her final days, Barbara could often be found in prayer, speaking with her Heavenly Father. Today, she is rejoicing and praising, reunited with her beloved Charlie, at the feet of our Lord.

A Celebration of Life for both Barbara and Charles Sonner will be held on January 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Grace Church of Aiken, 144 Tabatha Church Road, Aiken, South Carolina 29803.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Grace Church of Aiken or to the ASPCA, in honor of Barbara's lifelong love for animals.

We invite you to share a memory and sign our guest book.