Sonja Alfreda Paulina (Erbe) Godwin

Sonja was born on Good Friday, March 25, 1932 and left this Earth to live eternally in heaven on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Born in the region of Dammer, Schlesien, Germany – which is now in Poland, Sonja and her family traveled on foot from East to West Germany as refugees during the Second World War. After losing everything in the war, she attended boarding school in Neuendettelsau, Bavaria, Germany by way of a generous scholarship. She then spent a year as an exchange student in England, which led to a career doing translating, interpreting and secretarial work. She was working on a military base when she met the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” Godwin. Chuck asked Sonja if she would be his square-dancing partner and then eventually asked her to be his partner in marriage. After being wed, they came to the United States, where Sonja studied hard to achieve American citizenship. They were married until Chuck’s death in 2015 and lived most of their years together in Del Rio, Laredo, and San Antonio, Texas. Chuck and Sonja remained avid square dancers. She enjoyed car rides through the countryside to look at the scenery. Sonja was a professional artist who sold 95 paintings throughout her lifetime. The scenic landscapes she enjoyed so much were the subject of most of her paintings. Paramount to Sonja’s life was her deep faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior. It was that faith that carried her through difficult times throughout her 94 years. Sonja served as a church secretary in Laredo, TX and volunteered extensively for the church wherever she and Chuck worshipped. She was always a Lutheran, but lastly a faithful member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX. She was really known for having the gift of incredible hospitality. In addition to her husband, Sonja was preceded by death by her father, Maximilion “Max” Erbe, her mother, Emmy (Hadamzick) Erbe, and her sister, Christa (Erbe) Kurth. She and Chuck had no children. There are no surviving relatives. Memorial gifts should benefit the “Chuck and Sonja Godwin Endowment”. Checks should be made payable to and sent to Legacy Deo at 2901 Caballo Ranch Blvd, Ste 4D, Cedar Park, TX, 78610-4637. Legacy Deo can also be reached at 512-646-4909. More information is available at www.LegacyDeo.org

Follow this link to see the 2020 interview with Sonja on The Shepherd Podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3io6E-bZhvg