Mrs. Sonya Sumner Durden, age 61 beloved wife of Jeff Durden of the Oglethorpe Community of Soperton passed away on Friday morning, October 31, 2025 at their home.

A native and lifelong resident of Treutlen County, she was the only child born to the late D. F. Sumner and Sue Nell Raulerson Sumner.   She grew up in Soperton and Norristown and being the daughter of the founder and owner of Sumner's Beach, she learned by default the definition of summer work.   After graduating high school, she attended Swainsboro Technical College where she earned her degree in Education as a Parapro.  In 1983, she married Jeff Durden and they began their life together.  Sonya worked in the Treutlen County School System for twenty years as an Assistant Librarian and Substitute Teacher, until retiring.

Sonya derived great pleasure from giving to others.  She enjoyed collecting antiques, traveling with her husband, exploring the Amish country and their way of life and tending her vegetable and flower gardens.

She will be remembered for her concern for others above herself, her gentle way of uplifting the spirits of those around her and her daily prayer ending with "Help us Lord to be mindful of the needs of others" Amen.

She had attended Norristown Revival Center for approximately twenty years before moving her membership to Holton Chapel Advent Christian Church for the past fifteen to twenty years.  In addition to her home church family she also considered the members of Zaidee Advent Christian Church and Calvary New Life as her extended church family.

She leaves behind, her husband of forty-two years, Jeff Durden and their two sons, Michael and David Durden, all of Soperton.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 pm on Monday, November 3, 2025 at the Holton Chapel Advent Christian Church with Pastor Morris Brantley officiating.

She will be laid to rest in the Holton Chapel Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be her nephews: Matt Sammons, Benji Sammons, Wesley Long, Damen Baldwin, Hunter VanRyswyk and Annon Forehand.

Her family will receive friends on Sunday, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Sammons Funeral Home and on Monday from 2:00 – 3:00 pm at the Holton Chapel Church or friends and family may call at the residence.

Please share a memory, leave a condolence message and sign the online guest register at www.sammonsfuneralhome.com

SAMMONS FUNERAL HOME, Family Owned and Operated Since 1917

912-529-4411 or 478-455-0671