Obituary: Sondra D. “Skye” Johnson, professional model
Funeral services for Sondra DeJuana Johnson, whose professional modeling career under the name “Skye” endeared her to local fashionistas for decades, were held Dec. 22, 2012 at New Hope Temple Baptist Church in South Philadelphia. Mrs. Johnson, died Dec. 17, 2012.
Sondra DeJuana Johnson, daughter of James and Julia Everett Jr., was born on November 16, 1946 in Lauringburg, North Carolina. She was the oldest of their four children. At the age of four, she and her family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sondra was educated in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia School System. She attended and graduated from Saint Theresa of Aviia Elementary School and Saint Maria Goretti High School. After high school she earned a degree in Chemistry from Temple University. She later worked for the Pennsylvania State Liquor Control Board/Pub Liquors as a junior chemist for two years.
Sondra, affectionately known as “Skye” was a woman with style, who always made a fashion statement. Because of her exotic look and model statuses size she was chosen by many designers to model their collections in many of the major cities including; New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Vegas. She has graced many runways for her hometown Philadelphia fashion houses for example; (NAFADS) National Association of Fashion and AccessoriesDesigners, David Charles Burgee, Designers Inc., Philadelphia Fashion Guild, Hafiz Design Studio, K-Couture, Fashions by Bill Norwood, Howard Springs Designs and Kelvin Rice Couture.
She was one of the first African American fashion models from the Philadelphia area selected by many of the major top fashion designers to travel and model in Paris, the islands of Jamaica and Bermuda, South America and Europe.
In 1971, Sondra met the love of her life, the late, Isaiah Johnson Jr. On October 7, 1972 they were married and formed a beautiful union, which lasted for the past 39 years. Sondra, along with husband became co-proprietor of Sky Dry Waterproofing Company, Inc. “Water Control Specialist”. Their slogan was *We have solved every wet basement problem, EXCEPT YOURS!”
In 2009, Sondra bean working for the Philadelphia School District as a non-instructional teacher’s aide at the Academy at Palumbo High School.
Sondra was a wonderful and loving wife, daughter, sister and an incredible aunt. She was very kind-hearted and very knowledgeable. She was an avid reader and engaged in political conversations, which often led to debates. She loved spending time with her family, friends and loved ones.
Sondra D. Johnson is survived by her father and mother, James Everett Jr. and Julia Everett; sisters, Stephanie Cain and Teresa Lowery; brothers, James Everett III and Stephen Everett; brothers-in-law, Robert Johnson, Jesse, Ronald and Donald Cain; sisters-in-law, Annett Dobbs, Albertina and Patricia Johnson; nieces and nephews, Janelle, Sharelle, Ivy, Chondra, Abdullah, Natasha, Rasheeda, Garnell, De’Anna, Shavawn, Taryn, Tamika, Tiffany; one god-daughter; Nicole Tabb; great nieces and nephews, Garnell Jr., Zainab, Brandon, Zeca, Gabrielle, Da’Jah, Antuan, Gianna, Max; a host of uncles, aunts and cousins. Special friends, Lorraine and Doria, who all love her deeply.
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