Sophia Mae Juanita Burris

Sophia Mae Juanita Burris was the last surviving offspring of the late “Patriarch” Christopher McNeal Wilson, Sr., and “Matriarch” Mazzie Foster Wilson. Sophia was born on March 1, 1932 and grew up in Union County, South Carolina. She committed her life to Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Rowell Baptist Church, Union County, South Carolina. Sophia never doubted that with God all things are possible.

She lived in Philadelphia for 15 years and worked for six years in the city’s “Get Set Program” where she prepared meals for the inner-city Day Care centers. Sophia counted it all joy and a true blessing when she relocated to the “City of Brotherly Love” in close proximity to her sister Irene and three of her nine brothers, William, James, and Ulysses. Sophia moved her family to Lorain, Ohio in 1971 where she soon became active and supportive member of the Church of the North Coast. Sophia continued to follow her passion for cooking. She enjoyed a successful career working as the Cafeteria Manager for the Lorain City School System for 22 years and retired in 1993.

Sophia lived a long and productive life. She truly enjoyed sewing, gardening, and cooking. Included among her signature delicacies was her famous seafood gumbo, sweet potato pie, churned homemade ice cream, and pound cake just to name a few. Everything she touched, cooked and prepared was “golden, golden” and made with an abundance of LOVE. In 2010, Sophia decided she no longer wanted to be a frequent Florida visitor but instead wished to become a permanent Florida resident and spent her precious golden senior years living with her beloved family. And our great loving and caring God granted her wish!

Memories of Sophia’s precious, amazing life of faith, determination and fortitude shall forever remain in the minds and hearts of her son Herman Burris of Lorain, Ohio; devoted daughter Mable Ruth Burris Rainey (William) of Middleburg, Florida; daughter Charlene Burris Hayes; bonus daughter Althea Gilbert (Melvin) of Middleburg, Florida; five grandsons Jamaal Raheen Sharief Burris (Carissa) of Middleburg, Florida, Robert Jackson, Rohulish Davis, Alshi Kenyatta Williams and Ishmal Ibn Basil Williams; three granddaughters Fatima Burris of Cleveland, Ohio; Rhondesha Metcalf and Kesha Metcalf of Lorain, Ohio; five great-grandsons Amir Burris of Jacksonville, Florida, Miles Burris, and Samuel Burris of Middleburg, Florida, Jeremiah Burris and Javion Metcalf of Lorain, Ohio; one great-granddaughter Sophia Rose Metcalf and also a number of nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and dear friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 21st, 2025, from 10:00 a. m. until time of the Home Going & Celebration Service 11:00 a.m. at Church on the North Coast, 4125 Leavitt Road, Lorain, Ohio, where Pastor Jeremiah Burris will officiate. Burial will be in Ridge Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Amherst.