Sonny Lipscomb (c.1936-2006)

Milton — The funeral for Sonny Lipscomb, 70, of 10423 N. C. 62 North, Milton, who died Monday, April 3, 2006, will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, April 8, in the High Street Baptist Church in Milton by the Rev. Angel Lea. Burial will be in Floral Hill Memorial Gardens in Danville, Va. A native of Halifax County, where he attended public schools, Mr. Lipscomb was the son of the late Algie and Mary Ruth Brandon Lipscomb.

Surviving are five sisters, Maggie Vincent and Mary Thaxton, both of Milton, Martha Bonner and Sally Robinson, both of Danville, and Clara Henderson of Blairs, Va.; five brothers, Eddie Lipscomb, Algie Lipscomb Jr. and Charlie Lipscomb, all of Philadelphia, Pa., Guy Lipscomb of Baltimore, Md. and Miller Lipscomb of Semora; and several nieces and nephews. Arrangements are by Plenty Funeral Home in Semora.

Published in the April 8, 2006 issue of the Roxboro-Courier Times
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The following is from Jean Scott's "Milton Memories" (The Caswell Messenger, April 2006):

Sonny Lipscomb died last week. He was one of God's gentle people. Although he had limitations he was a great person. Sonny loved his Milton people. He probably cut more grass for more years than anyone else in the history of Milton, and he loved the people he worked for and with. Often he would say, "I know you miss yo' buddy", and that could mean any one of a number of his friends who have passed on: Miss Edith, Miss Ella, Mr. or Mrs. Bradsher, or any other person he had on his mind at the time.

Few people who knew Milton at all did not know Sonny. He was a Milton icon. As we passed he always raised his hand with "Hey, Boss." Sonny had a great respect for a "good wife" -- she had a washing machine AND a car! He often told anyone and everyone he "had a whole lot rather have a car (or truck) than a wife." Sonny believed that the "Old Times" were better than the present. He said that when you lost your mama you lost everything. He had lost his mother who must have truly loved him and protected him many years ago. He also said, "You better listen to old folks. They won't tell you no wrong." In his own inimitable way his spoken word about his philosophy contained much wisdom.

Just recently someone asked how old Sonny Lipscomb was. I suggested maybe fifty, fifty-five. Turns out that he was 70, but he was ageless. He was never very young and never old. He really was ageless. Fifteen of Sonny's "buddies" joined his family and friends at High Street Baptist Church for his final rites. The entire service was a celebration of a very special life. The music was lively. The eulogies evoked tears and laughter. The casket was beautiful -- blue -- and with blue and white flowers in the blanket. If Sonny was looking down on all of it he must have been pleased with the gathering, the black and white friends who came to pay tribute. His sisters and his brothers were there in force, and with their love, which was evident in the way that Mary Rosa and her family and, indeed, all the others in his family gathered together to praise God and thank him for one of His gentlest creatures.

Because it was raining I did not go to the graveside at Floral Hills Cemetery. A little later I passed there and the crowd was still gathered. Sonny lies at the top of the hill overlooking Highway 58, where he can look down on his friends as they pass, and he will know them, because he knew just what car every one of them drives. All of Milton will miss Sonny's "Hey, Boss," and his wisdom. God rest his soul!
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