Sonja Sue (McFarlin) Baird Brown

Sonja Sue (McFarlin) Baird Brown, age 83, of Martinsville, IL passed away at 8:35 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Gibson Family Center for Hospice, Terre Haute, IN.  She was born January 1,1940 in West Terre Haute, IN the youngest daughter of Charles C. McFarlin and Josephine E. (Miller) McFarlin. 

Survivors include her children, Perry Baird (Debra) of Martinsville, IL; Bart Baird of New Cumberland, WV; Janet Wood (Scott) of West Terre Haute, IN; grandchildren, Justin Baird (Amy) of Brownsburg, IN; Anthony Baird (Amber) of Casey, IL; Haley Summerfield (Zach) of Moatsville, WV, and Casey Baird of Morgantown, WV; ten great grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Bob McFarlin, Bill McFarlin, Jack McFarlin and Ralph McFarlin and sister, Willa Mae Umphries.

Sonja was a 1958 graduate of Valley High School in West Terre Haute, IN.  For several years, she was a Martinsville school bus driver and an EMT for the Clark County Ambulance Service.  She retired as a dispatcher and correctional officer for Clark County Sheriff Department in Clark County, IL serving for more than 27 years. Following retirement, she regularly visited the prisoners in the Clark County Jail, as part of a continuing Christian outreach. During her marriage to the late Dale Baird, Sonja was active and involved in the thoroughbred horse racing business. She loved living life on the farm and her animals she meticulously cared for.  Sonja attended Olive Branch Baptist Church and enjoyed helping with Vacation Bible School.  She enjoyed southern gospel music.  Sonja was an active member of the Martinsville Chamber of Commerce for many years while running a successful screen printing clothing business. Most recently, Sonja enjoyed the company of great friends who added joy to her life.  She taught them much about the farm life she loved.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. CST on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at Greenwell Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Nave.  Burial will be beside her parents in Bethesda Cemetery, West Terre Haute, IN.  Visitation will be held from 9 – 11 a.m. CST on Tuesday prior to the service at Greenwell Funeral Home, 30 N. Washington St., Martinsville, IL.

Memorial donations may be made to Olive Branch Baptist Church, 2892 N. 1000th St., Martinsville, IL 62442.

To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Greenwell Funeral Home, Martinsville, IL is in charge of the arrangements.

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