Sandra "Sandy" Ruth Baxley Williamson entered her eternal life on Thursday, June 16, 2022.

Sandy was born on the first day of November 1941, in Chattanooga, TN to James and Ella Ruth Baxley, their first child. She was a tiny, frail to be followed by a brother, Bill, and three sisters, Annette, Kathy, and Kay. Their early life was difficult, but through a lot of love, and being taught to love they survived.

Sandy went on to finish high school, in 1959 and graduated from Sylvan High School. Then she ran into a sailor named, Jerry, who fell in love with her beautiful blue eyes and then on Valentine's Day, 1961 She married that sailor, and the tumultuous ride began.

She went with Jerry to the Philippines Islands, where they spent two years, gaining many friends. From there, they were assigned to a base in Pensacola, where Sandy found her second love, the church we are standing in, and the choir at the church. She loved the music, and her attachment to that church led us back two more times to enjoy the St. Mark Choir.

Our children came along during that first time in Pensacola, Steve in 1964, and Kim in 1967. She became a full time Mom, teaching the kids how to be God loving human beings. She handled that task perfectly.

In 1967 more islands entered our future with an assignment to Guam, in the Marianas Islands, where she was very active in Navy Wives Club, and making many friends for life there. Then we were blessed with orders back to Pensacola, and once again became church and choir members. Some of her favorite music, not limited to a few songs, were "It Is Well With My Soul", which we sing today, and "In The Garden".

After a lengthy tour in Pensacola, we were rewarded with orders to Hawaii, where she spent many hours being tourist, while Jerry spent time in the far Western Pacific.

Our luck ran out and we were assigned to duty in Maryland, instead of Pensacola, but it took a year o two and we made it back here. We became retirees from the Navy after a long and exhaustive career of moving about, and the stresses involved with moving.

With children growing up, Sany returned to the workforce, with a tour of duty of her own, as an Executive Secretary, followed by a three employment as Church Secretary of St. Mark United Methodist Church. She became a Legal Secretary working as a temp, and eventually retired from that in 2000. She filled some of her time as a Poll Worker for local, state and national elections.

She was a very accomplished Square Dancer and spent many hours traveling and attending dances at may major cities. Another love of hers was cruises. She helped organize several cruises for the square dance community.

Sandy was a loving mother, wife, choir and church member and she is missed.

Sandy is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jerry; son, Steve; daughter Kimberly; grandchildren, Zach, Heather, Athanasius, Nicholas and Marco.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am Saturday, July 30, 2022, at St. Mark United Methodist Church, with Rev. Charles Robinson officiating.