Sonya Lachrista Jones Scholarship Fund

Dearest Friends,
 
As the angels rejoice to welcome our friend and sister, Sonya Lachrista Jones aka "Candi," we are left with the gift of her memory and our recollection of times well spent with her. She taught us about life, how to laugh in good and bad times, and, most importantly, how to live kindly and authentically. Candi was a quiet warrior with a vibrant soul always fighting for what was right and just. However, even the strongest and brightest get weary after time, and despite Candi’s relentless spirit and valiant efforts to keep fighting, her silent five-year battle with breast cancer became too much…
 
Candi was born and raised as a Baltimorean, and it came through in her cool, collected, confident demeanor, which served her well at Western High School in Baltimore City as an elite-level basketball and softball player and leader. Her athletic prowess, unyielding hustle, and refusal to quit led to her recruitment to play basketball as a Goucher Gopher. In the Fall of 1992, so began her journey to Goucher and into our hearts. Goucher was a stark transition from high school, but luckily it offered the love and familiarity of basketball that made the move to college bearable—along with her newly met friends who would later be known as family.
 
Candi graduated Goucher College in 1996 with a B.A. in Elementary Education, but not before putting her lasting fingerprint on many of our hearts through her loyal devotion and friendship. Her smile was infectious, and although she never sought attention, her zealous spirit was too powerful to ignore, enveloping those around her in the comfort of her warm glow. Candi’s zest for life, new adventures, and the courage to live life fully—even if it offered fear or uncertainty—made her a remarkably brave human being.
 
A gracious and giving spirit, Candi worked to ensure that more young people—many of whom grew up in neighborhoods like hers—had access to the same opportunities that positively influenced the trajectory of her own life. Her passion and concern for troubled and underserved youth, ignited her professional journey of social work that would span 25 years and across our Nation. Candi cared deeply and worried tirelessly over the hundreds she endearingly referred to as, “her kids,” often being the only adult that ever offered them guidance, stability, and love. She will be missed by many more than we could ever know.
 
To honor Candi’s altruistic legacy, The Sonya Lachrista Jones Scholarship Fund (SLJSF), will be created and funded through the love and generosity of her friends and family through donations gifted through the SLJSF GoFundMe account as well as to help offset funeral expenses. Blessed are those who were lucky enough to have had Candi as a friend, caregiver, sister, aunt, or daughter. May her fingerprint leave a lasting impression on our hearts and may every warm glow remind us of her.
Rest in Power, Candi Girl…

With Gratitude,

P Moore