Caroline Sonja Litton

Sonja H. Litton, 84, passed away on May 20, 2024 at her home in Matthews, NC.

Born on February 12, 1940, to the late Clarence and Rosalie Holt, she grew up in Knoxville, TN. After graduating in 1958 from Central High School where she presented the high-school commencement speech she went on to attend Tennessee Technological University where she earned a B.A. in Secondary Education. It is during this time that she met her husband of 55 years, the late James Larry Litton. Sonja said it was love-at-first sight and she adored her role as a proud military wife.

Sonja went on to raise a beautiful family in Wilmington, NC. where she experienced many cherished memories and built beautiful friendships. She was blessed with three children, Derek, Michael, and Mitzie. She will be remembered for her life-long love of teaching. Her teaching career included a variety of subjects and inspired countless students to excel in English, professional development, piano, sewing, and quilting. She founded a chapter of Phi Beta Lambda at King’s College where her students earned numerous awards and accolades, including the largest chapter in North Carolina. She also leaves behind Quirky Quilters, a group she began to spread the joy of quilting. One of their beloved activities was to make blankets for hospitalized veterans.

Sonja was an avid reader throughout her life, and this led her to critiquing books for a publishing company and conducting workshops for North Carolina English teachers. Sonja also loved to travel and shared great adventures with her family both in the US and abroad. Her church friends might not know, but she loved to attend beer festivals and sample beers from different breweries. She also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, and collecting pigs. In recent years her favorite activity was watching the Hallmark Chanel while eating ice cream.

Those left to cherish her memories include her son, Michael Litton and his wife Karen Lockhart Litton; her daughter Mitzie Litton and her husband Jeff; her grandsons Litton Battelini and his partner, Kim Kelley, and Casey Litton; and her precious grand dogs Sid, Ozzy, and Lily. Debbie Christian, her amazing angle-on-earth caretaker and her wonderful community of Bella Sera are counted among those considered family. There are also many friends and family too numerous to count.

Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Indian Trail. The family will hold a private service where she will be laid to rest beside her husband and son at Sunset Memory Gardens.