Sonja Pleshette Burke was born in Norfolk, Virginia on February 2, 1968 to the late Calvin Bernard Burke and Flora Lovey Burke.

During her youthful years, Sonja became a skilled ballet dancer and pianist. After graduating from Indian River High School in 1986, she later went on to receive an Associate’s degree from Tidewater Community College in Business Administration in 1991. In 1993 Sonja graduated Magna Cum Laude from Norfolk State University and received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Because of Sonja’s passion for working with and helping mentally ill individuals, she gained employment working at The Pines (now known as Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center) and Community Alternatives. She dedicated her life and time counseling and providing hands on support to those who suffered mental illness. In 2000, Sonja was diagnosed with Kidney failure which resulted in her having to leave her desired field of work. She later went on to serve as a substitute teacher for Chesapeake and Virginia Beach Schools.

Sonja accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Centerville Chapel A.M.E Church where she worshiped alongside her family in Chesapeake, VA. In her later years she joined Revelation Tabernacle, where she was involved in the Women’s Ministry and worked with the youth.

On Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017 she suffered from a heart attack which resulted in her being placed in Intensive Care, and on April 30, 2017 Sonja Pleshette Burke was called home.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, John and Queenie Mae Burke, and Hillary Griffin Sr. and Dora Griffin, four uncles Hillary Griffin Jr. (Buddy), Bill Lee Griffin (Bump), John Alexander Burke (Spookie), and Marshall Griffin and an aunt, Beverly Robinson (Jean).

Sonja leaves to cherish many memories her daughter Shàvànì Burke, her special son Larry Baker, an uncle Jessie Griffin ( wife Ella) of Linden New Jersey, two aunts, Dorothy Jackson ( husband Norman) of Chesapeake, VA and Evelyn Kellam of Chesapeake, VA, best friend Natalie Mizell of Woodbridge, VA and a multitude of other great aunts and uncles, cousins, family and friends.