Sonja Brake

Sonja Brake

Sonja Elizabeth Lewis Brake, 59 of Albany, Texas, passed away on June 20, 2025. She was born on August 11, 1965, in Arlington, Texas, to Tryon Temple Lewis and Patricia Maurine Keesee. Sonja was baptized at Wilmeth Baptist Church and was a member of First Baptist Church in Clyde, Texas.

Sonja spent her life spreading laughter, kindness and a little bit of sass wherever she went. She married Richard Edwin Brake in 1988, and together they raised two daughters, Kristin and Kayla. Though they later divorced, a strong family bond remained between her and her girls, whom she loved fiercely.

She had a huge personality and a heart to match. Sonja loved dancing around the house, blasting country music, curling up with a good suspense novel or movie, and starting every day with her favorite thing: coffee. She had a soft spot for animals, especially dogs, and often volunteered at the shelter giving love and compassion to the animals that found themselves there. Her dog, Jax, was her loyal buddy and is now with Kristin, where he’s still getting spoiled,

Sonja’s goofiness, charm, and ability to make people laugh will never be forgotten. Whether she was rescuing a stray dog, cracking a joke or just being her authentic self, she left a mark on everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her mother, Patricia Moellendorf and step-father, Bill of Albany; her daughters, Kristin Taylor (Josh) of The Woodlands, Kayla Brake (Rod) of Friendswood; her grandchildren, Sebastian Hinson, Brenham Ortiz, Willow Taylor; her sister, Monica Cleveland (David) of Albany; step-brother, David Moellendorf of Austin; step-mother, Debbie Lewis of Arlington; half-sisters, Angel Pierce, Frankie Guynes, and Shalon Burks. She also leaves behind many extended family members, beloved nieces and nephews, and four-legged companions who adored her.

She was preceded in death by her father, Tryon Temple Lewis; a brother, Tony Hawk; half-brother, Mark Moellendorf; half-sister, Laura Moellendorf; maternal grandparents, Herman & Ruby Keesee; and paternal grandparents, James Temple and Murrle Lewis.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, June 27th at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Albany. In honor of her love for animals, donations can be made to your local SPCA or to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a cause close to her family’s heart. Condolences may be made online at www.morehartmortuary.net.

She will be deeply missed and remembered with love and laughter always.