Frances R. Sonnenberg

Frances R. Sonnenberg ne Gammill died peacefully at her adult foster home surrounded by her family on April 28, 2016 in Beaverton, Oregon at the age of 92.
Frances is survived by her children, Phillips Sonnenberg (Robbie) of San Antonio Texas and Karl Sonnenberg (Barbara) of Beaverton Oregon; siblings, Joan Alexander (R.E.) of Tullahoma Tennessee and Dr. James Gammill of Paris France, and grandchildren Stephen, Jonathan, Erik, Linnea, Charlotte and Eva and five great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by husband Charles W. Sonnenberg and sister Mary Lou Henson of Atlanta Georgia.
Frances was born on July 4, 1923 in central Tennessee to Frank and Allene (Hix) Gammill. She was raised in Alabama and in Tennessee, where she graduated from Shelbyville High School. She met her future husband in 1943 while working as a secretary at Camp Forrest near Tullahoma, Tennessee, where he was training as an artillery officer. They were married in 1944 shortly before he was deployed to the European Front. Upon his return from military service, they moved to Indianapolis near his hometown of Columbus, Indiana. In Indiana, she volunteered as a Cub Scout den mother and hospital "pink lady", as well as being active in art and tennis. Frances and Charles retired to Arizona for 18 years where she volunteered at a local library and art museum while continuing to play tennis, beating all who dared to compete. She and Charles enjoyed visiting their family, traveling across the USA and Europe. After Charles passed away in 2005, she moved to Oregon to be near her youngest son and grandchildren.
In the words of her daughters-in-law, "Karl's and Phil's sweet southern belle mom, Frances, went to be with her Lord and Savior. She will be so missed for her kind and gentle ways and her dry sassy humor and will leave a big space in our lives."
She often talked about growing up on a farm and wrote a book titled, "My Life as a Child, Growing up in the South". She enjoyed reading, and truly mastered the art of baking and making whiskey sours.
She had been member of Southport Presbyterian Church (Indiana) and Desert Palms Presbyterian Church (Arizona).
The family held a private service. Interment will be at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona beside her husband. Arrangements are by Donelson Funeral Chapel, Hillsboro Oregon, http://www.firlawnfh.com/obituaries.html
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation, Hospice/Home Health at 9205 SW Barnes Road Portland, OR 97225 ( https://appsor.providence.org/giving/?foundations=8 ) or Housecall Providers, 5100 SW Macadam Ave., #200 Portland, OR 97239, ( https://www.housecallproviders.org/donate-now/gifts-in-memory-or-honor/ )