Sandra Jane Followell (Marlow) died on December 28, 2022 at the age of 75. Although she was known as “Sandy” to most, she will be remembered as anything but the soft-spoken wall-flower of a girl who famously inhabited the same name in the musical Grease. Sandy had a bawdy sense of humor and a love for country music, and she definitely had a strong opinion about how she wanted to be treated.
Sandy is survived by her beloved cousin, Linda Graham Goeb, two daughters, Kim Lancaster (Adam) and Robin Winsett (Cort), five grandchildren, Ashleigh L. Powers (Daniel), J.R. Lancaster, and Caky, William, and Emily Winsett, and two great-grandchildren, Eloise and Stephen Powers. Born in Herrin, IL to Stephen R. and Gladys L. Marlow, Sandy was technically an only child, but the bond she and Linda shared growing up was closer to that of sisters than cousins.
Sandy was raised Catholic and devoutly remained so until her death. It is with a heart full of joy that she will approach Heaven’s gates and reunite with all those loved ones who departed before her. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, by 3 aunts and one uncle that never had children of their own, so they doted on her, by her cousins, Mike and John Goeb, and her cherished basset hound, Cleo.
After she Graduated from Herrin High School in 1965, Sandy lived in multiple cities, before she and her family finally settled in Memphis in 1973. She spent the bulk of the Eighties working in bookkeeping for a prominent Memphis family’s business and raising her daughters. In the late Eighties she made a decision that would lead to one of her greatest accomplishments in life. She decided to return to college to finish her bachelor’s degree. She graduated from Memphis State University on May 9, 1992 with a degree in elementary education. Sandy was a dedicated Tigers fan for the rest of her life.
Sandy spent the majority of her teaching career at St. Michaels Catholic School in Memphis. When she retired, her philanthropic life blossomed. She was heavily involved with and served on the board for both Madonna Circle and Brooks Museum League. She loved and spent several years working on the Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards as well. The arts in general were a passion as Sandy also attended live theater with her friends at local theaters and multiple Broadway shows with her daughters at the Orpheum in Memphis and at theaters in Chicago and New York. She even provided her two oldest granddaughters with their first exposure to New York City and Broadway.
A visitation for Sandy will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Collierville Funeral Home, 534 West Poplar, Collierville, TN 38017, followed by a memorial service from 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Page Robbins Adult Day Center at 1961 S Houston Levee Rd, Collierville, TN 38017. https://pagerobbins.org/
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff of Kirby Pines Manor for the love and care they provided Sandy during her final years.
