Sonia Lipps Smallwood, 80, of Albany, Kentucky formerly of Valparaiso, Indiana passed away Saturday, January 13, 2024. She was born May 8, 1943, to Willie William & Edna (Barnett) Cheek, attended Bennetts Branch Elementary School and graduated from Bush High School in London, Kentucky. Sonia loved music, especially bluegrass and gospel, but it was always her family that she dedicated herself to. Homemaking became artform to Sonia, caring for and nurturing everyone under her roof.
In 1963 in Manchester, Kentucky she married Elbert “Al” Lipps who preceded her in death in 2012. On June 3, 2016 she married Raliegh “Ron” Smallwood who survives along with her sons; Larry Lipps of Valparaiso, Steve (Becky) Arlington of Valparaiso, step-children; Donna Campbell of Albany, KY, Del (Roxanne) Smallwood of Hobart, IN, Shonda (Phil) Skelton of Chesterton, IN, Ronavon Smallwood (fiancé – Sammi) of Columbia, KY, Rhonda (Stan) Asher of Chandler, AZ, grandchildren; Trevor Arlington, Mason Arlington, Katelyn Danielle & Zach Lipps, sister, Brenda (Denver) Cheek of Greensborough, IN, brothers; Kenneth (Gail) Cheek of London, KY & Roscoe (Bobbi) Cheek of Mountain Home, AR and many loving nieces, nephews & friends.
A visitation will be held Friday from 12 noon – 2 pm at Moeller Funeral Home, Valparaiso with funeral service beginning at 2:00 pm and burial to follow at Angelcrest Cemetery, Valparaiso. Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of Lake Cumberland, Somerset, Kentucky or the Food Pantry of Albany, Kentucky.
GUESTBOOK
My condolences to Sonia’s family. Sonia was a part of our lives for many years! She knew and loved my children. I always felt like Sonia was a surrogate mother to me. I missed her when she moved to KY. I think of her often and have such fond memories. -Mary Lucas
Dear family of Sonia, The Kittle family sends our sincere condolences and prayers as you mourn the passing of your dear wife, mother, and grandmother. Sonia was a special person in our lives and she meant so much to us. Please know you are all in our thoughts and our hearts at this time. God surely has another angel in his midst. Love, -Laura, Hayley and Dylan Kittle
