Sonya Kenney Shumate Rippey

Savannah- Sonya Kenney Shumate Rippey died Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at Candler Hospital after a long battle with cancer.

She was born December 11, 1937 in Green Cove Springs, FL to Hazel and Warwick Kenney. She graduated from Clay County High School in 1955 and from the University of Florida in 1959 with a BS in Education. While attending college, Sonya was a majorette in the band, a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, crowned Miss Clay County in 1958 and a member of the Gator Bowl Court in 1957 & 1958. She taught at St. Augustine High School 1959-1960, at Savannah High School 1960-1961 and audited tax returns for the IRS 1962-1966. Sonya taught and was promoted to Dean of Students/Registrar at Draughon’s Junior College 1976-1981. She sat for the CPA exam in 1977 and became a CPA in 1986. In 1981, Sonya started working as an Internal Auditor for the City of Savannah and retired as a Principle Internal auditor in 2004. She married Michael Rippey in 1998.

Sonya was a Lifetime Member of the Georgia Society of CPA’s, a member of the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association, the Institute of Internal Auditors, the National Association of Local Government auditors and became a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1989. She was a member of the Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, the Good Samaritan Circle, the Market Bunch and the Parkersburg Garden Club. Sonya was preceded in death by her parents Hazel Bennett Kenney & Francis Warwick Kenney of Green Cove Springs, FL., and her son Stephen Matthew Shumate, Sr. of Statesboro, GA.

Surviving are her husband Michael G. Rippey, daughter Laurie Shumate Allen Gary of Savannah, GA and daughter-in-law, Shannon Friend Shumate of Statesboro, GA., step-son Randy Rippey LeeAnn and step-daughter Susan Rippey of Columbia, MO; sister Karen Kenney of Green Cove Springs , FL.; grandchildren Claire Elizabeth Allen of Savannah, GA., Victoria Shumate of Omaha, NE., Stephen Matthew Shumate, Jr. and Tyler Hayes Shumate of Statesboro, GA., step-granddaughter Makayla Rippey of Columbia, MO; aunts Dena Mae Hall Lemen , Betty Kenney and Vivian Kenney Maguire Elliott and cousin Eleanor Prevatt Loner Jim of Green Cove Springs, FL.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church with Rev. Dick Reese and Rev. Frank Parr officiating.
Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 13117, Savannah, GA 31416.