Sandra Leigh Carlson, age 76, of Cantonment, FL died Monday, November 27, 2023, after a brief illness.

Sandy was born in Evanston, IL on October 11, 1947, and spent her early years at different military installations around the world due to her father's United States Navy career. She moved to Pensacola in the late 1970s and worked at several different businesses including Gayfers at Town and Country Mall. She worked for more than 20 years as a customer service representative for Gulf Power where she kept her coworkers, and often customers, entertained and "on their toes" with her wonderful sense of humor and fun.

Sandy is preceded in death by her parents, LCDR Jack W. Carlson, USN (ret.) and Marie Lamb Carlson, of Marianna, FL.

Survivors include her brother, Jack W. Carlson, Jr. (Janet), of Comer, GA; nephew, Sgt. 1st Class Jack W. Carlson III, USA (ret.) (Maureen), of El Paso, TX; niece, Ruth Brown (Matthew), of Luthersville, GA; and five great-nieces and nephews; as well as her lifelong best friend, Susan Hickey, of Cantonment, FL and many other dear friends including Betty Mraz and Debby Felt.

A celebration of Sandy's life will be held 12:00noon Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the Cactus Cantina, 5121 N. 12th Ave, Pensacola. All are invited to come and join in remembering her with anecdotes and stories of a life filled with laughter. A family memorial service will be held on a later date at the Colson Family Cemetery in Chattahoochee, FL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Pensacola Humane Society, 5 North Q Street, Pensacola, FL 32505 or online at https://pensacolahumane.org/donate Sandy was a compassionate lover and defender of all animals, especially cats, so there is no better way to honor her memory.