Born 92 years ago on April 26, 1929, Sophie Indiana Hunter was the first child of William and Willie Bea (Austin) Torrence of Jersey City, New Jersey. William “PaPa” Torrence was a master builder who built several homes, a factory and helped to build New Light Baptist Church, the family’s place of worship in Bloomfield, New Jersey.
Sophie attended public school in Bloomfield, and was one of only three African Americans to graduate from Bloomfield High School in 1946. She was an active member of the Spanish and Glee Clubs. She then enrolled at Newark State Teacher’s College, which is now Kean University, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Teacher Education in 1950.
In 1951, Sophie entered holy matrimony with Matthew Henderson, and to this union, two children were born, Marcia Kone’ and Audrey Henderson. Unfortunately, she became a young widow upon Matthew’s sudden death.
Sophie’s first teaching experience was at Maple Avenue School for the Deaf in Newark, New Jersey. She then taught third and fourth grades at Winfield Scott School # 2 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where she taught for over 33 years. She was a member of the teacher’s union and several professional organizations including the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club. Sophie had a beautiful voice and sang in the senior choir at Union Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey where she was a dedicated member.
On Christmas morning, December 25, 1962, Sophie married George Hunter, originally of Sumter, SC, in the living room of her parents’ home. Sophie’s third daughter, Hortense “Kymm” Hunter was born into this joyful union. An avid traveler, Sophie traveled to Switzerland, England, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and countless tropical islands. She was indeed a seasoned traveler, who never missed an opportunity to explore. She traveled across the United States three times. In the early 1990s, she retired with her husband to South Carolina and became a member of Brookland Baptist Church, in West Columbia, and a founding member of Brookland Baptist Church, Northeast in Columbia, South Carolina.
Sophie was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, George Hunter, in 2010. She leaves to cherish her memory, her three daughters Sultana (Marcia) Kone’ and Audrey Henderson of Bloomfield, NJ, and Hortense “Kymm” Hunter of Columbia, SC; two grandsons Adnan of Bloomfield, NJ, and Ellis of Columbia, SC; two sisters-in-law Nora Palmer of Queens, NY, and Virginia Torrence of Bloomfield, NJ, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her brother Benjamin Torrence, her sister Willa Mae (Shy) Middleton, her brother David Torrence, her sister Azzilee Eddings and her brother William Torrence who were all from Bloomfield, NJ, with the exception of David Torrence who is from Philadelphia, PA.
“Honor thy father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12
God’s grace on the family…Aunt Sophie has won her reward. I am so happy for her and will be blessed to see her again. Love you all Besse Swint