Sonia Marie (Mahone) Gibbs Dawson

Gibbs Dawson, Sonia Marie was born on August 4, 1959, to William Russell Watkins and Audrey Mae Billups, in Montgomery, AL. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Alicia J. Billups. Sonia went home to be with the Lord on June 17, 2024, after a brief health challenge.

  Chef Sonia, as she was affectionately known, was educated in Montgomery County Schools. She attended Jeff Davis High School where she was a member of the JROTC; Troy State University at Montgomery; and Auburn University at Montgomery. She relocated to suburban Chicago in the 1980s where she worked in human resources, corporate real estate and other industries. Sonia’s love for the culinary world led her to matriculate at a cooking school in Chicago. Upon returning to Montgomery to reconnect with family, she accepted employment with Renaissance Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center as a chef. She found joy in putting smiles on diners’ faces at The House restaurant and in catering. Guests and staff would regularly rave about her delicious food and culinary pride. Having worked at Renaissance since it opened, Sonia retired as lead culinarian in February 2024 after 16 years, achieving the coveted 4-Diamond Award numerous times, employee of the month, and Stars of the Industry recognition for outstanding hospitality in the state of Alabama, among other accolades.

  Sonia had a positive impact on everyone who encountered her — from babies to the elderly. She had a particularly engaging energy that people were drawn to and often gave them a new perspective. Sonia was a radiant light — a God-fearing, charismatic, selfless, compassionate, virtuous, diligent, comedic, beautiful-inside-and-out woman who loved with her whole heart.

  She leaves to cherish her memory: Husband, Curtis Lee Dawson of Montgomery, AL; son, Ivan “Shaun” Gholston of Washington, DC; step-sons, Curtis Dawson (Breana) of Montgomery, AL and TerRon Dawson of Seattle, WA; brothers William Watkins Billups of Montgomery, AL; Willie Billups of Montgomery, AL; James Lamar Billups (Tonya) of Montgomery, AL; Thomas Billups, Jr. (Erika) of Stone Mountain, GA; sisters Wanda Armstead of Montgomery, AL and Brenda Jean Tallie of Montgomery, AL. Sonia also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and close friends.

Funeral will be held Monday, July 01, 2024- 2pm at New life Church of God Annex 05, 5600 Carriage Hills Drive, Montgomery, Alabama 36116.  Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, 909 Lincoln Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36109.  Visitation will be Sunday, June 30, 2024 - 12pm to 6pm at Magnolia Cremations & Funeral Services, 901 South McDonough Street, Montgomery, Alabama, 36104 and the family will recieve friends from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

As we extend our deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time, we would also like to express our upmost gratitude to you for entrusting us with your loved one. Magnolia Cremations & Funeral Services

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sonia Marie (Mahone) Gibbs Dawson, please visit our floral store.