Jo Ann Sonnier

Jo Ann Wood Sterling Sonnier, 89, of Lumberton, died Saturday, January 17, 2026. She was born on October 15, 1936, in Port Arthur, to Dema Price Wood and Garrie A. Wood, Sr.

For a number of years, Jo Ann worked for different doctors, and for about six years she baked and decorated cakes for all occasions and catered wedding receptions. She was employed at different times at Gulf States Utilities in Beaumont, Georgetown Steel in Rose City, and C&D Machine & Engineering in Port Neches, and as secretary and bookkeeper in several other area businesses. She and her husband, Donald J. “Don” Sonnier, operated an auction house, “Don’s Auctions”, in Beaumont for four years. At the same time, they conducted estate sales in the area for twenty-two years and traveled across the country for ten years with antique and collectible shows until they retired in April 2000.

She is survived by her son, Gary L. Sterling of Jasper; daughter, Candy Sterling Cole and her husband, Alan, of Georgetown; stepchildren, Dr. Leo “Butch” Sonnier and his wife, Kathy; and Margaret Breaux and her husband, David, all of Austin; Mary Lou Pearce of Sugar Land; and Tom Sonnier of Dallas; brother, Garrie A. Wood, Jr. and his wife, Joyce; fourteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews; and her beloved friend, Laura M. Furry.

She is preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Don; sister, Joyce Wood Winfree; infant son, Kyle Richard Sterling; stepdaughter, Cheryl Sonnier Dana and her husband, Bob; stepsons, Donald J. “Donnie” Sonnier, Jr., and James D. “Jimmy’ Sonnier; son-in-law, Tim Pearce; infant grandson, Kerry Lynn Sterling; sisters-in-law, Kim Wood, Nadine Sonnier and Joan Sonnier; brothers-in-law, Fred L. Sonnier, Robert “Bob” Sonnier, and Earl Winfree.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the local food bank.

A gathering of Mrs. Sonnier’s family and friends will be 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2026, with family and friends reflections at 6:30 p.m., at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Infant Jesus Catholic Church, 243 South LHS Drive, Lumberton. Her interment will follow at 2:00 p.m., at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, 618 Block Street, Port Neches.