Sandra Spencer

Sandra Ann (Clark) Spencer of Alabaster, Alabama, born August 10, 1947, left her earthly body on September 14, 2021. We all know that this feisty, woman with the larger than life personality was shouting, “War Eagle!” as she entered the pearly gates of Heaven. We rejoice through our tears with the thoughts of her grand reunion with her parents, Onnie and Marie Clark, sister, Gail Stewart, nephews, Phil Stewart, Lyle Stewart and Rick McLain, brother-in-law, Bobby Stewart, Michael Gingo and bonus sister and #1 sidekick, partner in crime and heart of her heart, Judy Lawson.

Sandra leaves a long history of fierce love and loyalty behind and is survived by the love of her life and husband of over 53 years, Charles B. Spencer, her beloved daughter, Suzanne Scalisi, her bonus daughter, Rebekah Potts (Kevin), cherished granddaughters, Presley Brown and Peyton Scalisi, sister, Janice Faye Forman (Mike), nieces, Carla McLain and Michelle Parks (Randy), nephew, Clark Forman (Laura), great nieces, Rachel Parks, Sydney McLain and Piper Stewart, great nephews, Steven Stewart and Russ Parks and Judy’s babies, Terry and Jimmy and their babies and a host of cousins, extended family, neighbors, church family and dear friends.

To know Sandra was to know laughter and joy. It was to have an appreciation for lipstick, big sunglasses, and even bigger hair (but not too big, Michael!). Sandra was known to be a woman of commitment. She was the embodiment of sisterhood. A longtime member of Alabaster Church of God, Sandra was a lover of Jesus and Elvis and mostly, in that order. Her first loves were her parents and her adoring sisters whom she loved unconditionally and completely. In fact, she didn’t seem to know how to love any other way. Her family knew that they would never walk alone as long as she was around.

Sandra’s most important roles in life were those of wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved Charles dearly, and she loved serving him. Though Sandra graduated from West End High School and attended cosmetology school, she became a stay at home mom because she didn’t want to miss a single moment of Suzanne’s life. She was an excellent homemaker and enjoyed cooking her husband  a hot, meat and three vegetable meal nearly every evening. She supported him and built him up and bragged on what a good man and hard worker he was. He never wanted for anything. His clothes were kept clean as was their home. When she got to the point that she could no longer cook, he took on caring for her just as lovingly as she had done for him.

She passionately adored Suzanne and was always her fiercest protector and biggest cheerleader. She sacrificed her own time and money to make sure that Suzanne had every need and want fulfilled and that she had every opportunity available to her. Sandra was the mom at the ballpark that you could hear over all the other moms. She cheered with gusto for all the neighborhood kids and was not afraid to call umpires out for a bad call or coaches for making a bad decision… to her perception.. which may not necessarily always be right but was never, ever wrong. No one dared to mistreat a child in front of Sandra either because she would rally the troops in their defense. She also taught a lot of those same kids how to drive, how to properly clean a home (and she reminded you that her way was the only way), and she taught them a lot about loyalty. She fostered deep, meaningful bonds for Suzanne with all of her cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents and made sure that they all got together as often as possible.

The best gift Suzanne ever gave Sandra was making her a Nonnie and giving her two more beautiful girls to love on. Presley and Peyton adore her too, and they included her fully in their lives in a way that many young people don’t. She knew them intimately and took the time to get to know their friends, and she loved them too because they did. When her sister passed away, Sandra made sure that Gail’s precious granddaughter, Sydney, continued to have that grandmotherly support- only now from Nonnie. The girls were good to her too, spending many, many hours and making countless trips to her house to fix her TV or her computer or her phone or just to sit with her and talk, listen to her music and share theirs with her. She loved times like that most of all.

Sandra was known to be headstrong and outspoken,  but she was also ever evolving, and
her resilience served as an example for all who knew her. She could reinvent herself countless times over.  For years, she was the wild card, but when she made up her mind to do something, she was in for a penny, in for a pound. When she gave her life to God, she suddenly turned her back on anything that she thought would be displeasing to Him. She joined the church, the mission team, the choir, the ladies’ mission team, Sunday school, the bread Ministry, the red hats’ society, helped in the kitchen, fed the homeless and even helped in Bible School and carpooled kids in from all over. She was a hard worker with an unshakable work ethic and a tenacity that rippled throughout all areas of her life.

One of her happiest days was the day Charles accepted Christ and started going to church with her. She was so on fire for Jesus and would often ask people, “Are you a Christian?” “Is so and so a Christian?” “Are you sure?” She prayed so fervently for every member of her family and every friend she had ever had with dedication and sincerity. Her great wish was to see every person she loved in Heaven one day. She talked about it a lot. If you knew her, know that more likely than not, she prayed for you and your family’s souls. You just don’t come across many people like that.

Sandra was a remarkable friend, a deep lover of life, and had a profound appreciation of relationships and connection. For those fortunate enough to know Sandra, you knew that on the other side of this gregarious personality was a tenderness that you could feel just being in the room with her.  She was warm, welcoming, and genuinely loving.  Sandra will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered. Sandra’s service will be Tuesday, September, 21, 2021 at Currie – Jefferson Funeral Home. Visitation will be 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM with service beginning at 1:00 PMwith a graveside service immediately following. Sandra’s home-sending will be officiated by Brother Ken Stroup.
Always one to love a road trip, she will be attended in this final road trip to her resting place by Clark Forman, Scott McCloud, Jason Price, Randy Parks, Jimmy Gingo, Todd McClinton, and Spencer Ross.