Sonya Mikel

The sixth of seven children, Sonya Kimberly Mikel or "Baby," as she was referred to by her family, was born October 31, 1963, in Rochester, New York to the late Earnest and Marie Mikel. The daughter of a minister and a deacon, Sonya was raised to know God and the power of prayer. She grew up attending New Bethel CME Church in Rochester, under the pastorate
of the late Rev. Raymond Graves, and later joined Holy Jerusalem Spiritual Church, under the leadership of the late Bishop John Booker Norwood.
Sonya was a student of the Rochester City School District, graduating from East High School and later earning her certification in Early Childhood Development. Sonya loved children and over the course of her life, she always found work in their presence. Sonya was employed as a daycare provider, lunch aide and a teacher's assistant with the Rochester City School District, supporting children with increased needs.
In 2003, Sonya married her longtime partner, James Hill. She was told that she would never bear children, but God had a blessing in store for her. Later that same year, at the tender age of forty, Sonya and James were blessed to welcome their only daughter, Miracle Mariah Sarah Hill. Sonya was a devoted mother and took great measures to ensure that Miracle was cared for. Sonya had prayed many years for her daughter and was thankful to God that she was able to live life before becoming a mother. God, life and experience were Sonya's teachers and from that, she became Miracle's example, number one supporter, teacher and protective shield.
Sonya was unique, shamelessly eccentric, full of energy, insight and an eternally youthful heart. She lived life on her own terms, knowing that she was God's, He was hers and no matter what the situation, He would provide. Sonya was a social butterfly and the life of every party. There was no question as to when she was in the room, because she was not shy about letting her presence be known. She was famous for her vibrantly colored clothing and accessories, love of cooking, music, dancing, front porch parties and watching Judge Judy. But above all these things, Sonya loved her family, and she loved the Lord.
Sonya was a giving and passionate person; and although she loved to talk, what she could not put into words, could be felt through her embrace. Her hugs were both commanding and comforting. She poured out the love that she desired to give and to receive with each embrace. Like her hugs, Sonya's phone calls were just as long and as powerful. When you answered her call, you would have to be prepared to be on the phone for hours and likely not to get one word in, unless it was to assure her that you were listening. Every telephone call from Sonya would be filled with scripture, life lessons and memories of her siblings and her parents. She missed them immensely. She would frequently speak of the daily conversations that she would have with them by way of the photos she kept of each one of them on her refrigerator. She was adamant not to let their memories or her love for them die.
At 12:23 a.m. on June 14, 2025; after battling various health issues, Sonya received her healing, found eternal rest and reunited with the family that had passed on before her. Sonya is predeceased by her parents, the late Earnest and Reverend Marie Mikel; sisters: Minister Denise Smith, Beverly Ward, and Cynthia Mikel-Patterson; her brother, Eric Mikel; brothers in-law: Reverend Will C. Butts, Reverend Kermit Smith and Nathaniel Patterson. She leaves to rejoice in the life that she lived: James Hill and her daughter, Miracle Hill; her siblings, Gwendolyn Butts and David (Gina) Mikel I; her nieces: Tamika (Jeenathan) Williams, Shaniqua Mikel, and Chabli (Faizon) Johnx; her nephews: Lawrence Mikel Sr., Timothy (Renata) Ward I, Dayton (AnnMarie) Weathers, Issac Butts, Kelvin (Shannon) Ward, Michael (Priya) Butts, David (Whitney) Mikel II and McKenzie Dillard, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces, great-nephews, other family and friends.
Visitation will be Saturday, June 28th at 10AM with her service immediately following at 11AM at Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church 111 Clifton St. Rochester, NY 14611.