Sonya Young Lemon (Lansing)

Mrs. Sonya Renee Young Lemon passed away Saturday, February 27, 2021, at Sparrow Health System Hospice - St. Lawrence Campus in Lansing, Michigan. Age 62 years. She was born January 4, 1959, to her parents, Henry Lee and Loretta “Penny” Brewer.

Sonya, affectionally known as “T.T.”, grew up in Lansing/East Lansing and attended Union Missionary Baptist Church during her youth. She worked for various companies in Lansing until she was medically unable to do so. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren as well as close friends. Her special joy was cooking and caring for others. She was born to cook and loved spending her time feeding people everywhere she would go. She could cook for fifty people with such ease and enjoyed every minute of loving you through her delicious meals. Every holiday had to include BBQ ribs...every holiday!!! Food was music to her soul. Food was her way of communicating and connecting with people. She truly represented the saying “Food for the Soul.”

She could always be counted on to care for her elder family members throughout her life. If any of them became ill, the natural nursing instinct in Sonya would show up and care for them as long as they needed assistance. She had a photographic memory. If she read something one time, she would never forget it. She could tell you what she wore to school in the first grade and what the teacher wore on any given date. She could remember numbers without writing them down. She was a fast learner in school, especially with math. Now, it would be great to say, she enjoyed school but, for all who knew her, school was not one of her passions.

She was also extremely humorous and was known to be the life of any party. She also created a nickname for everybody and was known for her “quick on the spot” phrases, such as, “Let me see your back”, I’m always A1, never Hines 57” and “I’m always going to do Sonya!” She was known to be a “free spirit,” living life on her own terms. This is absolutely true. She lived life to the fullest and unapologetic. She opened her doors and heart to anyone in need. Loving others is what she enjoyed spending her time on. She was a lifelong giver of love, laughter, time, and food to all who crossed her path. In the words of Trevor Buckner, a longtime neighbor, and adopted nephew, we all wish we could have “one last hug, one last plate, one last joke, one last laugh, and one last dance.” Sonya had so many special friends and loved ones. She was loved by anyone who met her and tasted her delicious food.

Sonya leaves to cherish her memory sons, Trey Brewer, Leroy Green and William Green; grandchildren, Kayla, Lily, Landon, Bryce, Tylor, Kialiyah, Karter, and Kamila; mother, Loretta “Penny” Brewer; sisters, Fonda Brewer, Mae Outlaw, and Dawn Davis; brother, Kenny Outlaw; nieces, Amanda Brewer, Dankia Davis, and Shameka Best; nephews, Ronald Davis, Phillip Davis, Michael Best, and Trevor Buckner; aunts and uncles, James McClure, Herman (Hazel) Outlaw, Mitchell (Georgia Mae) Brewer, Frank Brewer, Juanita (Roy) Gold, Ken “Blue” (Jackie) Brewer, Sr., and Sue Brewer; godparents, Edgar and Ora Lee Loring, many cousins, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her son, Averill Mans; fathers, Henry Lee Brewer and Roy Outlaw; grandparents, Foster Young and Lena Mae Lyles, Mitchell and Ora Lee Brewer; aunts and uncles, Mary Lou and Willie Pittman, Virginia “Peaches” McClure, Robert and Ora Lee Young, Andrew Brewer, Oliver Brewer, Albert Brewer, and Bernice Brewer.