Sonita Arlone Martin, age 79, Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Thursday, February 2, 2023 at her home. She was born September 2, 1943 in Rich Hill, Missouri the daughter of Lawrence Elmer and Celestia Mae Rees Tillery. Sonita was one of seven children and grew up in Rich Hill, Missouri where she attended school. She married Eddie Claude Martin of Foster, Missouri on September 11, 1959 and later divorced. To this union, three sons were born that Sonita was very proud of, Jimmie, Loren and Lonnie. Sonita was also married and divorced from Jack White of Prescott, Kansas. She gained a stepson, Mike White and a stepdaughter, Christine Douglas from this marriage.
Most of her adult life, Sonita lived in the Linn County area, before moving to Fort Scott. She did a variety of work including, dispatcher for the Linn County Sheriff Office, CNA, milked cows, and drove big rigs. She only drove on four lane highways and did not back the rig. She was very proud of owning her own business, Legacy Line, a custom sewing and upholstery shop. Sonita designed clothes, dolls and jewelry. She also made wedding dresses, and uniforms for the Union and Yankee soldiers reenacting at Fort Scott. She also made Southern Belle hats and was talented in wood crafting and oil painting. Sonita had a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen, and a hand willing to help others. More than anything, she loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Orvene Hursh, and Linda Kay Tillery, and four brothers, Lawrence Ivan Tillery, Burl Tillery, Ray Tillery, and Howard Fay Tillery. She is survived by three sons, Jimmie Martin and wife Linda, Loren Martin and wife Stephanie, and Lonnie Martin and wife Kristina, eight grandchildren, Angie Lee Martin, John Rees Martin, Bradlie Cole Martin, Steven Kyle Martin, Aaron Douglas Martin, Lonnie Shane Martin, Skyler Dale Martin and Sheldon Lee Martin, and eleven great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 2 pm Monday, February 6, 2023 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial will be in the Green Lawn Cemetery, Rich Hill, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 3 to 4:30 pm Sunday, February 5 at the Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Linn County Care to Share or Fort Scott Community of Christ, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, Kansas 66075. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
