Sandra Sofiah Sexton, died on April 20, 2023 at age 78, after a long battle with cancer, in the presence of her sons at the Ruth Wood Open Arms hospice in Visalia, CA.
She was born on September 22, 1944 to Louise (neé Coleman) and Walter Olan Sexton in Covington, KY, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.
(L) Sofiah with Sjahari and Djamal
Sofiah grew up in Northern Kentucky with her brother, Larry Olan Sexton, and moved with the family to Florida in 1960, where she graduated from West Palm Beach High in 1962. During her time at West Palm Beach High, she was an enthusiastic member of the school choir, which performed throughout South America on a goodwill tour. Sofiah remembered the choir as a deeply spiritual experience, and the tour of South America as an important step in her understanding of the brotherhood of mankind.
After returning to Northern Kentucky and holding a series of odd jobs, Sofiah discovered the latihan kejiwaan of Subud through her cousin, Deanna McFadden, and her cousin’s husband, Lucien McFadden. At a Subud Congress in California, Sofiah met Rasjid Pullom of Highland Park, Michigan, whom she married in December of 1969.
The couple lived in Detroit and New York during the four years of their marriage, during which time Sofiah gave birth to their two sons, Sjahari and Djamal, in 1972 and 1973, respectively. The couple divorced shortly thereafter and Sofiah returned to the Greater Cincinnati area, where she put herself through the University of Cincinnati, earning a degree in education.
After graduating, Sofiah became the county librarian of Bracken County, Kentucky, before becoming the school librarian for Piner Elementary, a role she held for the next 20 years, until she retired. In retirement, Sofiah cared for her mother until she passed away, and then moved to Exeter, California, to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
She was an active member in the Subud San Joaquin Valley group as well as the Quaker Friends Meeting in nearby Visalia, and enjoyed attending Subud California’s regional and other Subud Congresses. She also served at various times as an active local helper, a Regional Helper in Subud Midwest, a local chair, and the Regional Chair of Subud Midwest.
Sofiah had a deep sense of gratitude for the latihan, and a deep sense of connectedness to God Almighty through the spiritual exercise. During the difficulties of her last days, it was apparent that the latihan and that close connection to the Almighty helped her to stay centered throughout the process of letting go of this life.
She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Sjahari & Roekmini Pullom of Visalia, CA, and Djamal & Candice Pullom of Seattle, WA. Sofiah is also survived by seven grandchildren, Stephen (23), Morgan (23), Alejandro (21), Matthew (20), Rahim (18), Matiana (13), and Rafael (8), as well as her dogs, Mellow and Sparkles.
(L) Sofiah and Matiana
Sofiah’s kindness, wit, and wisdom will be missed by family and friends alike. A memorial was held on May 20 at the Visalia Friends Meeting House (Quaker Church), where she was a member. An additional memorial and burial will be held in Augusta, Kentucky, in July.
Please share your own remembrances of Sofia Sexton here on the regional website. Use the Comment box at the bottom of this post to add your thoughts (below “Leave a Reply”).
It was good to read about Sofiah’s life, just now. She was so strong, to do all she did. Especially have 2 sons, and then get divorced. She really accomplished a lot, and enjoyed a rewarding life. She is an example to me now, of a faith-filled sister, who shared the latihan-life, which helps us through it all. Fond farewells, Sister Sofiah.
Hosanna in Sebastopol
A very sweet, open-hearted lady.
May all her descendants inherit her qualities.