GREENE — To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Certainly this is the case of Sonia Smiley, who passed away Aug. 1, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Born May 18, 1935 in a two room house in Magalloway Plantation, which had no electricity and no running water, she was the daughter of Merton Hoyt and Sybil Bennett Travers-Hoyt-Mulherin.

The oldest daughter of 11 children, Sonia lived a life of compassion, giving and self-sacrifice as she always put the needs of others above herself. Her greatest love after God was her family and her children. An example of this love was shown in her hard work-ethic, when despite being abandoned with three small children, Sonia overcame her dyslexia and fears and obtained her GED in her mid-30s.

She then went on to graduate as an RN from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in 1976 at the top of her class. At the time, she also had one of the highest scores ever posted on her Maine state board exams to achieve her license. She went on to work as an operating room nurse for many years. She enjoyed the simple things most in life; wild roses, lilacs, sunsets and the many other great gifts of God’s good earth. Later in life, one of her fondest endeavors was that of adult Sunday school teacher at the Baptist Church of Greene, where she had the opportunity to nurture and minister to many in her community.

She is survived by her husband, George; her sons, Matthew, Daniel “Luke” and Carroll; and grandchildren, Rene, Benjamin, Brian, Justin, Alex and Joshlyn. She is also survived by her siblings, Archie, Vernon, Roger, Melanie, Gary; and dozens and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Predeceasing her were her parents and siblings, Marvin, Virgil, Carroll, Frederick and Judith. The Smiley family would like to thank Central Maine Medical Center for the care they provided at the end of Sonia’s days.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

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