Obituaries

Sheddrick “Sonny” Donaldson, Jr., 85, of Bridgeport, WV, passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at United Hospital Center, with his wife Terri by his side, following a brief illness.

Sonny was born in Birmingham, AL, on September 22, 1940, a son of the late Sheddrick and Mary Elizabeth Dillard Donaldson, Sr.

He was married on June 12, 1981, to Terri Harris Donaldson, who resides at their home in Bridgeport.

Also surviving are his sons, Anthony Wayne Donaldson and wife Yvonne of Sacramento, CA, and Malik Rashaad Donaldson of Philadelphia, PA; his daughters, Lori Tunstall and husband Dewayne of Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Angela Cherry and husband Wade of Martinsburg, WV, and Jessica Sykes and husband Martrelle.  He was grandfather to seven grandchildren, Natasha, Levi, Maya, Arianna, Letitia, Ronald, and Jocelyn; and two great grandchildren, Riyan and Casey.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Gene Donaldson.

Sonny was a graduate of Washington Irving High School Class of 1958 and retired from Bell Atlantic in 1992 with over 30 years of service as a construction foreman.  After his retirement from the Bell Atlantic, he worked at Harry Green Chevrolet as a car salesman and finished out his 30-year career with them driving a courtesy van.

He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. Sonny was an avid golfer and a   member of Sunny Croft Golf Course where he regularly played in the Thursday Night Men’s League.  He was on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival for many years and was elected King of the Festival in 2019.   He was an avid WVU Baseball, Basketball and Football fan. He also was a member of the Harrison County Senior Citizen Center, East View Bingo Club, and loved playing Bunco.  Above all, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Sonny was a beloved member of the community who seemed bigger than life itself and will be so very much missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the WV Down Syndrome Network, P.O. Box 8066, South Charleston, WV 25303.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, on Wednesday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. where the funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Arica Cox presiding.  Interment will follow in the Bridgeport Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com  A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.