Sandra Cunningham Stilley

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Randall D. Stilley of Tyler, Texas. Her two sons, Michael Stilley of Pearland, Texas and Daniel Stilley of Sparks, Maryland. Her mother-in-law, Sue Stilley of Wichita Falls, Texas. Along with her daughter in law Courtney Stilley and Grandson Weston Stilley of Pearland, Texas.

Sandy was born on October 11, 1953, to Betty Smith Cunningham and Robert Ard Cunningham in Fort Worth, Texas. Her father was in the Army, and she spent her early years in Virginia. At the age of 10, she and her mother moved back to Texas. Sandy was a happy, intelligent and precocious child, and a joy to be around. She was popular, with lots of friends, FFA Sweetheart, and a member of the High school drill team.

She graduated from Corsicana High School in 1972 and enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin.

During her second semester at UT a mutual friend introduced her to Randy Stilley, her future husband. They dated during college and were married on June 26, 1976. This is when the adventures of Sandy and Randy began.

After honeymooning in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the young couple moved to Alice, Texas where Randy was a young Field Engineer with Halliburton. Then they moved to Carrizo Springs, Texas when Randy was promoted to District Engineer, and Sandy set about making new friends within the community. In 1979 they moved to New Orleans, Louisiana; and Sandy started making new friends and enjoying life in NOLA.

In October 1981, their first son, Michael was born. Then in September 1982, they moved to The Netherlands. Sandy wasted no time embracing the Dutch culture, making new friends, and enjoying being an expat in Europe. In August 1983, their second son Dan was born in The Hague. Having two young children didn’t slow Sandy down,and she would often load both kids in her car to go shopping in a nearby city or even another European country.

In 1986 they moved to Anchorage, Alaska. While in Alaska she made sure that both boys became proficient snow skiers and learned how to swim. Winter weekends were often spent on the slopes at Alyeska Ski Resort. In 1989 they packed up again and moved to Dallas, Texas. Like always, Sandy quickly made new friends without even trying, and the young Family could often be found at the county club socializing with friends, having Sunday lunch at the Petroleum club, or attending a youth soccer match for one of the kids. The next stop was Duncan, Oklahoma, and in 1991 they moved to London, UK.

Sandy was determined to make the most out of living in London, going to as many museums and historical sites as possible; while bringing her children along for the ride. In 1993, what was supposed to have been a longer UK assignment was cut short, when Randy was transferred to Houston. In 1995 it was time to pack up again with the kids, and move to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. While in Malaysia, Sandy started collecting antique bird cages and Chinese porcelain bird feeders. The boys were active in sports at the International School of Kuala Lumpur and in Boy Scouts. By the time the family left the Far East Sandy had traveled to multiple Asian countries and had a bird feeder collection of over a thousand different types and designs.

1997 saw them moving back to The Hague, and in 1998 they moved back to Houston, where they would spend the next 25 years. In 2023, they moved to Tyler, Texas. While Randy had been the CEO of multiple companies, Sandy was the star of the show; making friends and brightening the lives of everyone she encountered. Her genuine personality, her selflessness and generosity, created friends in all walks of life. She took the lead in raising two wonderful young men and made sure they enjoyed every possible experience from living all over the world.

She was a talented and creative interior designer, a collector of antiques and art, an avid snow skier, and a fabulous traveling companion. Her style and grace, her engaging smile, and her zest for life was unmistakable.

She will be missed by all who knew her, and particularly those who were her friends.

In accordance with her wishes, a celebration of her life will occur on September 20 at Caracol Restaurant located at 2200 Post Oak Blvd #160, Houston, TX 77056. Please RSVP with Randy via email or telephone.