Sonya Kingston

Sonya M. Kingston- Age 83, of Franklin, passed away March 24, 2021.

Sonya Marie Kingston was born on July 7th, 1937 in Canton, OH to Ed and Opal Bircher. Her father, Ed, ran Bircher Dairy and was the beloved town milkman. At 12 years old she saw a 13 year old Charles (Bud) Kingston riding a nice bicycle out her window and then made her little brother, Joe, go outside to find out who he was. That little boy would become her loving husband of 65 years.

Despite being born in a small town, her life was anything but small. She married Bud at 18 and went on to live a busy and exciting life. As newly married teenagers they went off to Alaska (before it was a state) where Bud was stationed in the army. Not long after, Sonya gave birth to their first son, Charles (Dana). They went on to live all over the world while also having two more children, Shawn and Rhonda. Now, she has four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Truly a world traveler Sonya lived in Okinawa, Australia, India, and Turkey. While devoting most of her time to raising her three children she also loved to work when she could, most notably at the National Security Agency and with the CIA. You are lucky to have heard any of the stories she had to tell.

Sonya loved Jesus, her family, playing cards and was an avid fan of chocolate. A brilliant gardener, her presence is felt in the flowers she’s planted over the years that are blooming this spring at her Franklin home of the last two decades. Like her flowers, Sonya was happiest in the sun. She was passionate and hardworking, loving and kind, brutally honest and oh, so fun. She was beautiful. We will forever miss our Sonya Marie.

Preceded in death by her parents Opal Leah Banks Bircher and Edwin Harold Bircher. Survived by her husband of 65 years Charles W. “Bud” Kingston, Jr.; children Charles Dana Kingston (Karen), Shawn Arthur Kingston and Rhonda Renee Hewett (John); grandchildren Joshua Aaron Kingston, Sarah Marie Kingston (Justin), Lauryn Elizabeth Litvack (Aaron) and Jessica Renee Hewett; great-grandchildren Landon, Jacob, Claire, Layton, Lawson and Autumn; brother Lowell Edwin Bircher

In lieu of flowers donations may be made The Alzheimer’s Association, https://act.alz.org/site/Donation

A Life Celebration will be held Monday 12:00pm March 29th at Forest Hills Baptist Church. Visitation will be 10:00am-12:00pm, Monday March 29th at the church.

Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, 9090 Hwy 100, Nashville, TN, 37221, 615-646-9292, harpethhills.com