Sedonia Ranton

Sedonia M. Antoine Ranton was born on February 8, 1942, in Orange, Texas to her parents, Edward Antoine and Erma Williams Antoine. She was the seven of eight children born in the family. She was raised surrounded by her brothers, Bennie, Marvin, Vernon, Ernest, Lionel, Howard, and her sisters, Viola and Dorothy. As a child, she is remembered as being a tomboy, she climbed trees, she enjoyed fishing and was a little on the mischievous side. She was lovingly given the nickname "Trouble" by her father because he named her after the gospel song. "Trouble In My Way." A life changing childhood memory was that of Sedonia and one of her childhood friends, agitating a mule by poking the mule with a stick. The mule invariably reacted to the poke and kicked her friend in the face causing him to lose an eye. She often used that experience as a "teachable moment" for her children and grandchildren. Sedonia received her formal education in Orange, Texas, where she attended Emma Wallace High School. She was affectionately called, "Skeet or Donia" by family and friends. Sedonia accepted the Lord as her personal savior at an early age. She attended Mount Calvary Baptist Church under the Pastoral leadership of Reverend H.Y. Anderson and continued to serve under Reverend George Brown. In 1956, Sedonia met Dexter Gaddis. To this union, two children, Sharon LaVern and Leonard Earl "Duke" were born. She was a loving and nurturing mother whose pride and joy was the care and nurture of her family. She was later blessed with seven grandchildren, Sha'Nelle, Jarrod, Leonisha, Chiquita, Leonard, Jr., She'Nequa, Ezekiel, and three great grandchildren, Ada'Lyn, Aziel, and Kaele, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. She truly loved all the happy and memorable moments she shared with each of them. Her love for them was unconditional and never ending. By profession, Sedonia was employed by several prominent families in Denver, Colorado and in Orange, Texas. She was hard-working, dependable, and performed her duties with a spirit of excellence. She was often treated as a member of the family and not just an employee. Sedonia was a fun-loving woman who enjoyed life and those she encircled. In her free time, she enjoyed reading the Bible, working crossword puzzles, shopping at Walmart, visiting the zoo, garage sales, and her visits to the casino. She loved spending quality time with family, especially her grandchildren. She was the type of person who never met a stranger. Her grandson, Zeke also remembers spending the night with his "Maamaw" and taking rides on the back of her electric wheel chair along with her dogs, Tiny and Rocko" all through the city of Denver. Her unselfish giving of her time and energy for others will be forever cherished. To know Sedonia was to absolutely love her. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Erma Antoine; brothers, Bennie Gray, Marvin Antoine, Vernon Gray, Sr., Earnest Gray, Lionel Verdine and Howard Verdine; sisters, Viola Jordan and Dorothy Antoine-Jones. Sedonia M. Antoine Ranton answered the call only she could answer, when she heard the voice of the Lord say "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Therefore, without hesitation, Sedonia along with her brother, Howard Verdine, answered the call and were welcomed into Heaven on Tuesday, April 4, 2017; Sedonia in Denver, Colorado and Howard in Orange, Texas. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her children, Sharon Antoine-Jones and Leonard "Duke" (Erica) Antwine, Sr. all of Aurora; 7 grandchildren, Sha'Nelle Henley, Jarrod Jones both of Aurora, CO, Leonisha M. Antoine, Chiquita A. Antoine, Leonard E. Antoine, Jr., Sha'Nequa L. Antoine and Ezekiel E. Antoine; 3 great grandchildren, Ada'Lyn, Aziel and Kaele Tollette all of Orange, Texas, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 4/12/2017 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 4/15/2017 at 11:00 AM - Mount Carmel Baptist Church - 513 Hydrangea Avenue Orange TX
Cemetery: 4/15/2017 - Hollywood Community Cemetery - 1 W Curtis Avenue Orange TX