Sona Davis Harbin

Sona Davis Harbin passed away in her home July 26, 2023, at the age of 91.  She was a beloved caregiver, homemaker, and mother.  She held dear God and family.  Prayer was her go-to remedy.

Sona’s birthplace was Marshall County, AL.  However, she was primarily reared in New Market.  As a 12-year-old farm girl, Sona drove a tractor to help her father, Lee Lincoln Davis, plant his crops during World War II.  She was a contest-winning swing dancer at New Market High School.  Having made the high school cheerleading team, shyness led to her leaving the team.   According to siblings and her father, she took great care of her mother, Theresa (Essie) Lamb Davis.  Mrs. Essie passed away from cancer in 1951 when Sona was 19 years old.

After high school, she worked as a beautician (stylist) and secretary.  After marrying Harold Edward Harbin in Feb. 1956, she worked diligently in the family grocery store which became Harbin and Campbell Grocery in the Walnut Grove community.  Her mother-in-law, Willie Wright Harbin, was her second mother.

For 61 years she lived in the same Hazel Green red brick ranch house. Gardening was a great passion.  Her gardens were large and diverse.  She spent countless hours canning and freezing vegetables and fruits.  Harold, her husband of 56 years, was proud of her farming skills such as maintaining gardens and dealing with cattle and pigs.  She once processed a whole hog under the direction of her dad.

She loved the Davis family reunions because of the affection she had for her brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. Her family reunion green beans and lemonade were praised.

Her father lived with her for the last seven years of his life.  She was his patient and loving caregiver until his passing.  As she aged she was a lot like her dad in that she was primarily humorous and upbeat.  However, her nurturing nature and sympathy for those less fortunate came from her mother.

Sona’s happiest days were Aug. 8, 1957 and Dec. 7, 1969.  These were the birth dates of her daughters, Scottie and Mitzi.  She said her greatest accomplishment was becoming a mother.  Grandchildren were wonderful added bonuses.  To her daughters, she was an understanding mother who disciplined with love and absolutely did not spare the rod.  Her sons-in-law, Rodney and Jim, thought of her as a second mother. She was a doting grandmother to Alex and Casey.  Both girls enjoyed her day care services when their mothers worked outside the home.

Sona was preceded in death by:  her husband, Harold Harbin; her daughter, Mitzi Jones; her parents, Lee and Theresa (Essie) Davis; her brothers, Lacy Davis, Estell Davis, Grady Davis, Buford Davis; and her sisters, Lura Johnson, Helen Hicks, and Bonnie Wright.

Sona is survived by: her child, Scottie (James) Burnett; her son-in-law, Rodney Jones; her grandchildren, Alex Shaw, Michael Whitson, and Casey Jones; and Casey’s fiancé, Jake Letson.

The family would like to express special thanks to the staff at Affinity Hospice of Madison and caregiver, Susan Patton.

The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 4pm to 7pm at Hazel Green Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be Saturday at 11am at the funeral home with Dr. Harold Fanning officiating.  Per her wishes, Mrs. Harbin will be cremated and later buried at Taylor Cemetery in New Market alongside her husband.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Essential Church, 801 Beirne Avenue NE, Huntsville, AL  35801.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.