Sophia Briggs

Sophia Lee Briggs was born on June 4, 1929 to the late Alex (Jack) and Mary (Davis) Dafney in Lewisville, Arkansas. She departed this life on November 11, 2009 at Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe, Michigan. Sophia attended school in Lewisville, Arkansas and proudly received her high school diploma much later in life from Monroe Public School Adult Education Program in 1986. She married Clint Briggs in Arkansas in 1945 and to that union four children were born. Sophia then moved with her children to Monroe in 1962. A homemaker, she was also employed for many years as a cook/chef at the Deacon Jones Restaurant and then by Monroe Housing from 1975-79. Sophia enjoyed many things in her life including cooking, gardening, quilting, sewing, ceramics, her church, and watching her children and grandchildren’s sporting events. She was also a very active volunteer for many organizations, including Hollywood Schools, Monroe County Foster Grandparent Program, Kids “R” Special Child Care Center, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, and MCOP. She was a member of the Church of God in Christ, Toledo. Sophia is survived by 5 children, James L. (Judy) Briggs of Illinois, Alexis O. Braggs, Mark A. Cheatham, Charles L. Briggs, and Christopher L. (Rachael) Briggs, all of Monroe, 5 brothers, Arthur and Will (Asie Lee) Dafney, both of Lewisville, Arkansas, Henry (Dora) Dafney of Texarkana, Arkansas, Curtis (Marie) Dafney of Monroe, and Aaron (Maryann) Dafney of Venice, California, 3 sisters, Kathleen Dafney of Ontario, California, Erma Jean West of San Bernardino, California, and Lessie Dean Austin of Lewisville, Arkansas. Sophia leaves to cherish 33 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. In addition to her parents, Sophia was preceded in death by 2 sons, Andrew and Roy Briggs, 2 daughters, Willie Mae Thomas and Linda Watts, a grandson, Zachary Braggs 4 sisters, Susie Anderson, Katie Richards, Florida Kitchens, and Mattie Ree Dafney, and 3 brothers, Ellis, Howard, and Joe Dafney Sr. Friends may call at the Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Road, Monroe, MI 48161, on Friday, November 20, from 6-8 PM. A Family Hour will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 11 AM - 12 PM. Rev. Percy L. Jordan of the Church of God in Christ, Toledo, will conduct services celebrating her life at Noon. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle.