Sandra and Maria were together for 29 years and they were raising their grandchildren, which Sandra loved doing the most. Sandra loved Maria with all her heart and they were inseparable. Sandra taught Maria how to be a better parent and homemaker. Sandra’s homemaker skills were off the roof, especially when she cooked her favorite dish, chicken and dumplings.

Sandra had “Sandra’s Fine Cleaning”, a company that brought her to know many great friends and their families. The customer’s children would fall in love with Sandra as she brought them birthday and Christmas gifts. She was the most talented person fixing all that could be fixed at home, appliances, and cars. She would research the topic and watch multiple videos on YouTube. She was so good that her fixer upper expertise was always on demand by everyone she knew. One time, she took the whole dash off Maria’s car to fix her radio. It was fixed and within a fraction of the estimated cost.

People, especially men, were so surprised by her knowledge and skills and as such, she showed the world that women can do it. She sure broke gender assumptions. Sandra loved antiques, especially moon and star glass and knives, and would purchase most of them through live internet auctions. She knew how to re-invent a wood table into a coffee station, decorating the wall behind with exquisite pieces of glass of a variety of colors. She loved to travel by car through the United Sates, which she did until she couldn't.

She was the strongest person you could ever meet and the most courageous human being. This was because she had the type of personality that is not often seen. She had hope and perseverance, and she taught her family not to give up, to “keep trying until you fix it or break it”; and if you break it, you at least try. She was exceptionally kind, once giving money to a stranger so they could celebrate their birthday. She had a smile that could be seen on Mars. Her beautiful pearly smile was like fresh air.

Her sense of humor was like no other. She would make people laugh until their jaws began to hurt. She was naturally funny and she was loved by all. Everyone wanted to be around her. She would make you feel loved and very special. Sandra loved her little brother and her little sister; especially for taking such good care of her mother who lived far away. She loved her mother so much and they are spitting images of each other.

Pier fishing on any USA coast was her favorite hobby, and she stayed all night long at the pier in almost zero degrees fishing and she caught fish so fast.

Alongside her wife, she is survived by her granddaughter, Savanna Langston; her grandson, William Langston; and her niece, Kelsey Reed. She was preceded in death by her son, Jonathan Whitley, and her daughter Kristy Whitley.

Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home of Creedmoor. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com.