Soneta Marie Malit Soneta Marie Malit 64, died peacefully in her Conyers home on August 17, 2026. Known affectionately as "Señora Malit" by her students, she was also a mother, an aunt, a daughter, a teacher, a missionary, and a worldwide traveler. Born on New Year's Eve in 1961, she was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Hers was a military family, and they soon moved to Germany, where most of her cherished childhood memories began. It was there that her lifelong love of traveling grew. Her father, Daniel Bell, would take her to watch planes take off and land, recalling the history of any plane they saw. For her, it wasn't about the plane — it was about where they could take her. After graduating from high school in Texas, she attended Loyola College in New Orleans and later attended the Inter American University of Puerto Rico to pursue a Bachelor's in Science. She became a teacher upon graduating from Internacional College in 1987. From this point on, she began to travel everywhere, and this soon became a trademark of her life. Spanning 30+ different countries, her travels cultivated such a culture of learning that she would eventually take students from all over the Atlanta area to different countries to expand their education. In 1992, she returned to the States and landed in Atlanta. That same year, she began attending Abundant Life Church, now Cross Culture Church, and started doing mission work. It was on a mission trip to the Philippines that she met Nonobert Malit of the Blaan tribe in the mountains of Mindanao, and they were soon married in Manila in 1995. This led to the beginning of the Blaan Evangelistic Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to the development and advancement of the Blaan tribe. Together they would have three beautiful children, Shalomi (26), Hezekiah (25), and Josue (20). She soon became a grandmother to Gabriel (3), Chana (2), and Kingsley IV (on the way), and a loving godmother to Je'Rayah Doss (5). In the last season of her life, Soneta retired, but soon returned to the classroom. You could find her spending time with her grandbabies, traveling with her family, eating out with her friends, throwing a good party, and staying active in her community by building new relationships and stewarding old ones. I think we would all like to remember her the way we last saw her: smiling. Soneta will forever live in the hearts and memories of her loving family. Along with her children she leaves to cherish her husband, Nonobert Malit; mother Helen Bell; sister Elena Bell; niece Jessica Bell; niece Gloria Bell; great-nephew Demetrius; great-nephew Achilles; great-niece Arabella; and a host of cousins and friends.
Order of Service Associate Pastor, Gregg Johnson, Officiant Prelude “He is Exalted”
Processional
CCC Ministers & Family
Prayer
Minister Comas Haynes “In Your Presence”
Song Selection
CCC Music Ministry
Scripture Reading Old Testament
Minister Sharyn Shields
New Testament
Deaconess Narkita Marshall
Song Selection
“For You Are Great”
Reflections: (3 Minute Limit)
Family and Friends
Honorary Salutation
Andrea Lamb "His Strength is Perfect"
Dance
CCC Music Ministry
Ms. Sherese White
—— Photographic Slideshow Presentation —— Reading of Obituary (Silently) Song Selection
Eulogy Acknowledgements Recessional Postlude
CCC Music Ministry
Pastor Woodrow Walker, II Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home
Repast Gymnasium
Acknowledgements Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent a funeral spray. If so, we saw it there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as any friend could say, Perhaps you were not there at all, just thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much, whatever the part. -The Malit Family Special Acknowledgement of Thanks to: Cross Culture Church Bereavement Ministry Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home Historic West End Chapel 1003 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard Atlanta, Georgia 30310 404-758-1731 | www.williewatkins.com The K Effect, Print & Design, 678-732-5937