Sonya Damsker Lefkovits

Solvang, Calif.

Sonya Lefkovits, 87, lovingly known by many of her friends as “Miss Sonya,” passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, in Solvang, Calif.

Sonya Damsker was born May 6, 1923 in Memphis, Tenn. She was reared in Tyler, Texas and graduated from Tyler High School. In 1944, she graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) with a degree in public school music and moved to Nashville to serve as field secretary of the Girl Scouts Council, U.S.A. She moved to Birmingham in 1947 to work at the Jewish Welfare Board as its first activities director. It was through this organization that she was introduced to her future husband, Norman Lefkovits. After their marriage in 1947, the Lefkovits family ran the Columbiana Leader on Main Street, which her father-in-law began in 1896. The store closed in 1980 as Lefkovits became the primary caretaker of her beloved husband until his death until in 1996.

Lefkovits’ legacy to her community has been one of service. Her influence includes: Charter member and second president of the Vignette Club; chairman of the Columbiana Public Library Building Committee; first ambassador for the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce; founding member of the Columbiana Merchants and Professional Association; and honorary member of the Shelby County Historical Society. She is also listed in Who’s Who of American Women.

She is survived by two children, daughter, Marsha Phyllis Lefkovits and her husband General Richard Quick, and son, Norman Leo Lefkovits, Jr., and his wife Martha.

If you would like to remember Sonya, the family is asking, in lieu of flowers, for any contributions to be sent to the following: In 2006, Marsha and Richard established the Norman and Sonya Lefkovits Shelby County 4-H Citizen Award. Please make checks payable to the Alabama 4-H Club Foundation and sent to Tasha Worden at 226 Duncan Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849. Please specify “Lefkovits Citizen Award” on any contributions.

Miss Sonya also worked tirelessly for the Shelby County Historical Society. Any loving contribution should be sent to the Society in care of Mr. Bobby Joe Seales, P.O. Box 457, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Miss Sonya has been a beloved treasure of the Columbiana community, and will be sorely missed by all those who knew her.

Graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, at Bethel Cemetery in Hueytown. Bolton Funeral Home of Columbiana is directing. Family will receive friends from 3-4:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 13 at Bolton Funeral Home.

Please sign online condolences at Boltonfuneralhome.com.