Sonja Reneé Hefley Bliss

Born November 7, 1955, Died August 2, 2014

Sonja is survived by her only child, Brandon Bliss and daughter-in-law Erin both of Dallas, Texas, her eldest brother, Freddie and sister-in-law Kay Lynn Hefley of Walsh, Colorado, brother-in-law David Barclay of Amarillo, Texas, sister-in-law, Debbie Tuckness Hefley of Yukon, Oklahoma, and step-sister Anne Mills Harrison of Abernathy, Texas as well as numerous loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends from around the world. She was preceded in death by parents Alvis Hefley and Emily Seedig Mills, sister Emily Annette HefleyBarclay of Amarillo and brother J Malcolm Hefley of Walsh, Colorado.

Sonja was born in Canyon, Texas and raised to adulthood in Tulia, Texas where she met and married Scott Bliss in 1973. They welcomed Brandon to the world in 1974. Earning her nursing degree from Amarillo College in 1990, Sonja worked in the Intensive Care Units at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo as well as Brackenridge Hospital in Austin.

Over the years Sonja made a reputation for herself as being adventurous and brave as she embraced her role as the black sheep and a self-proclaimed Gypsy. She and Brandon shared adventures throughout the years. They made homes in Melissa, Amarillo, and Austin, Texas, as well as Högfors, Sweden for a while. The two were extremely close and yet equally independent. On her own she spent three years living in Linköping, Sweden, worked for a year on a passenger cruise ship and spent her final three years in Granada, Nicaragua. During her time in Nicaragua she gladly volunteered her nursing skills in assisting traveling veterinarians spay and neuter feral animals. She loved international travel, collecting art and painting, making new friends, realizing new businesses, and following her fancy wherever it led. She was active politically and deeply in touch with her Christian faith. She deeply loved her son, Brandon, two surviving cats, Prissi and Calli, and her 3 dogs, Beedy, Rusty and Lacy.

She was known for her smile, colorful wardrobe and glasses and typically being the loudest at the table. All those who truly knew her express it the same… Sonja lived her life to the fullest, made the most of her short time here and we can only imagine the impact she will now make in heaven. She will be missed on Earth but we rejoice in her passing.

A public memorial service will be held Friday, August 8th,, 11:00am, at Arden Road Baptist Church located at 6701 Arden Rd, Amarillo, Texas 79109. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to support local pet shelters or the Walsh Healthcare Center in Walsh Colorado.