Delta Sundberg, age 104, died peacefully in her sleep early Wednesday morning, June 17th, 2020. Delta was pre-deceased by her parents, Lelia and George Peeples, her husband of 40 years, Ernest Walfred Sundberg, and eight brothers and sisters. She is survived by two children, Foye Alexander and Walfred Sundberg (wife, Carol), granddaughter, Alecia Sundberg, and many nieces & nephews.
Delta was born in Kingsland, Georgia, on their small family farm, where her parents also had a small store on their property that sold dry goods and convenience items. Her father had a sawmill during one period of time. Delta was on her high school girls’ basketball team and is mentioned in the book about life in Kingsland, GA. After graduation from high school she moved to Jacksonville, FL and began working at the King Edward Cigar factory. In 1938 she married “Ernie” who also worked at the factory. She continued working there until Foye was born. Delta was active in her children’s activities. She served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, a School Boy Patrol Leader, assisted with Foye’s Girl Scout activities and was active in the PTA at North Shore Elementary School. In her spare time, she loved to work in the yard at home, planting flowers in her garden, tending to fruit trees and whatever needed her attention. Her garden was a source of pride and enjoyment. After her children were almost grown, she took a job as sales associate at W.T. Grant Company at Gateway Shopping Center in Jacksonville. Later, she returned to work for several years at the cigar factory until retiring in 1970.
The family had a second home on Kingsley Lake and they spent almost every weekend there in the spring, summer and fall of each year. From the late 1940’s through the late 1970’s Delta and Ernie rented out 2 cabins, weekly, between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Many relatives, friends, acquaintances and others rented the cabins, with some families returning annually. All renters enjoyed the lake, the Sundberg’s hospitality, and Strickland’s Landing, a privately-owned water park on the lake, with docks, towers, slides, a game room and snack bar. Delta and Ernie also hosted many annual family and friend gatherings at the lake house. It was a place where many fond memories were made.
After Ernie passed away in 1978, Delta traveled abroad, from time to time, with a group from South Georgia. She enjoyed seeing the sights of other countries, traveling with her life-long friend, Pauline Strickland and others.
Delta was a long-time member of North Jacksonville Baptist Church and attended Sunday School and church services when not at the lake house. Her moral values, work ethic, and selflessness characterized Delta throughout her life. She respected others and was always fair and honest. All though her life she was dedicated to nurturing and caring for her immediate family, her brothers and sisters, and their families and close friends. She was always willing to help others when needed.
Delta was a true Southern Lady. If she was asked to help someone with something they couldn’t fix, she would fix it, wouldn’t take credit, then she would smile and say “you just didn’t hold your mouth right”. Another of her favorite sayings was “if you can’t say something nice about someone, say nothing at all”. She was loved by all her family members and was very well thought of by all who knew her. She will be missed, and she will be forever in the hearts and minds of all who loved her.
A Celebration of Life will be held after the Wuhan, China virus pandemic has passed, probably in early 2021.
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