Sonya Francine Irvin-Satterwhite

The Family will be hosting a viewing and celebration of life for Sonya F. Irvin-Satterwhite on Saturday, 1/15, at Community Baptist Church, Somerset, NJ. The viewing will be from 10AM - 12PM, and will be followed immediately after by the celebration of life. The family requests that anyone who plans to attend in-person, please kindly wear a mask. For those wishing to join the family virtually, please follow or subscribe to Community Baptist Church's media pages below:

https://www.facebook.com/cbcofsomerset 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEKgVlwYkAzwUZf8UWVfjw/featured 

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Sonya Francine Irvin-Satterwhite was born in Newark, NJ on November 26, 1942, to the late S. Ferdinand Irvin and C. Bernice Irvin (Keyes). She entered eternal rest peacefully surrounded by family on December 22, 2021.

From an early age, education was a passion of Sonya's. She started her early academic pursuits in Newark, NJ, but moved to East Orange, NJ at age 13 where she graduated from East Orange High School in 1960. Upon graduation, Sonya went to work at Bendix Aviation as the blueprint clerk. However, she soon began training at Lyons Institute where she studied to become a medical technician, graduating at the top of her class in 1966. Upon completion, she joined Dr. Samuel Einhorn’s medical practice where she worked for twelve years as his office technician until his retirement. 

While she enjoyed her career, Sonya knew that education was her passion and soon took the first steps towards her calling to become an educator by enrolling in then Newark State College (Kean University). To complete her degree in Early Childhood Education, Sonya took classes in the evenings until her graduation in June 1976. Soon after, she embarked on a career in education that would span nearly four decades, touching the lives of more than 1200 students, and training and mentoring countless future educators and leaders.

More precisely, beginning in 1977 Sonya started teaching in East Orange, NJ, at Kentopp School as a Kindergarten teacher where she served for nearly ten years. During this time, she met and married the love of her life, Arthur Lee Satterwhite, Jr, on September 12, 1981, instantly becoming the stepmother to three daughters: Yogi (De. 2013), Tracy (De. 2008), and Robyn.  Arthur Jr. and Sonya would also have a son, Arthur III in 1983, all while completing a Master's degree in Education at then Montclair State College.

Upon relocating to Somerset, NJ, in 1986, Sonya continued her educational career with the Franklin Township Public School District.  Over the next three decades, Sonya would serve at several schools throughout the district including Elizabeth Avenue, MacAfee Road, Hillcrest, and Conerly Road as a third-grade teacher, and eventually, as an Academic Support teacher.  During her tenure, she was acknowledged by “Who's Who Among American Teachers” and recognized countless other ways by her peers and supervisors. Upon “retiring” in 2010, Sonya continued serving as a substitute teacher, supporting students, and mentoring educators throughout the district and all across NJ. For Sonya, teaching was her life's purpose.

Demonstrating her passion for education, Sonya became a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (PDK) in 2000. This professional organization of women in the field of education afforded her new opportunities to serve youth through Epsilon Alpha Chapter's Kudos and Xinos programs.  Sonya played an active role in her local PDK chapter, holding the positions of Youth Advisor, Scholarship Chair, Dean of Pledges, Corresponding Secretary, and Retired Sorors Chair over the next two decades.  She especially enjoyed networking with, mentoring, and contributing to the development of the next generation of educators coming through PDK's community. Her greatest joy was seeing the tremendous growth in young children and new educators alike as their minds opened to new ideas and possibilities through her teaching and mentoring.

Aside from her career in education, Sonya was a long-standing member of Community Baptist Church (CBC) of Somerset, NJ.  Since 1988, she served CBC in many capacities – e.g., Hospitality, Nominating, and Pastoral Search Committees, Sunday School Superintendent, and Church Choir.  She also served as a co-founder of the then CBC Day Care Center that would eventually grow to become the Community Baptist Christian Academy, serving as an advisor and member of the school's Board of Education throughout its existence.

Despite staying busy with all her pursuits, Sonya always made time for the things that mattered most – e.g., family, fun (reading, traveling, gardening, etc.) and generously helping others however she could.  She was a giant among giants and her legacy will live on through the thousands of students, teachers, leaders, friends, and loved ones who were impacted by how she fearlessly (and effortlessly) loved them all.

Sonya leaves to treasure her memory: her husband of 40 years-Arthur Lee Satterwhite, Jr.; son-Arthur L Satterwhite III (Safiyah) of Montclair, NJ; stepdaughter-Robyn Roberts (Tim) of Las Vegas; NV; sister-Anita Bowser (Cleveland) of Monroe, NJ; brother-Donald Irvin (Vanessa) of Cary, NC; three nephews; two nieces; eight grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and a host of other cousins, friends, colleagues, students, and loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations can be made to one of the following:

1. The Community Baptist Church Welcome Center that will host the church’s historical archive – one of Sonya’s final passion projects for CBC. Please send donations to the attention of “CBC Welcome Center” at Community Baptist Church, 211 Demott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873.
2. Phi Delta Kappa, Epsilon Alpha Chapter’s College Scholarship Program that Sonya spearheaded for fourteen years. Please send donations to the attention “National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Epsilon Alpha Chapter” (include College Scholarship in the memo) at P.O. Box 5562, Somerset, NJ 08875-5562