Sonya Johnson

October 10, 1940-August 18, 2022

Sonya (Welch) Johnson was born October 10,1940, in Licking Missouri to Leland and Elta (Caton) Welch.  After graduating from Licking High School in May 1958, she married Robert Johnson on October 18,1958. Bob and Sonya were blessed with three children:  Roger Johnson, Melody (Mark) Espinoza and Clinton (Li Yen) Johnson.

Bob and Sonya traveled on the evangelistic field before holding pastorates in Crane, MO, Pomona, KS, and Ozark, MO. In 1968, Bob and Sonya moved to South Kansas City where they spent the next thirty-eight years as the Senior Pastors of Grandview Assembly of God. Grandview Assembly experienced tremendous growth under their leadership while Sonya directed the youth choir for many of those years and was lovingly referred to as "Sister J" by all of her "kids".

In addition to ministry within Grandview Assembly, Sonya organized and managed Shalom Ministries which hosted tours to Israel, Jordan and Egypt. Bob and Sonya were honored by Israel's Department of Tourism for leading more than 50 groups to Israel. Then in 2007, Bob and Sonya moved to Kimberling City, MO, where they spent the past 14 years as pastors of Ozark Mountain Assembly of God.

Sonya was a loving wife, Mom and Nana whose laughter would light up a room.  She had a special gift of making everything and everyone grow with her warm touch. She leaves to mourn her passing: her husband, three children and eight grand-children: Elena, Evan and Jonathan Espinoza, Evin, Tovia, Eliezer, Uziel and Akiva Jacobs, brother, Wayne (Wanda) Welch, sister Judy Bates, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. Sonya was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother-in-law Loren Bates.

Visitation for Sonya will be Saturday, August 27, 2022, 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Ozark Mountain Assembly of God Kimberling City, MO with a Celebration of Life following at 10:00 a.m. with her husband of almost 64 years, Pastor Robert Johnson officiating.  Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. that afternoon in Licking, MO in the Boone Creek Cemetery.  The family has requested in lieu of flowers donations to Ozark Mountain Assembly of God Church Kimberling City, MO.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home Kimberling City, MO.