Carol Ann (Smith) Sandner

Carol Ann Smith Sandner passed away peacefully at home on October 16,2021. She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Edward Sandner, Jr., her son, Peter Cecil Sandner, and her parents, Nim and Cecil Ellard Smith, and her brother, Don Cecil Smith, Sr. She was born in Birmingham on August 18, 1928 and graduated from St. Paul’s School. She then went on to graduate from Birmingham Southern College, where she served as President of Kappa Delta and was a delegate to the National Convention. She married her childhood sweetheart in 1950 and was married for almost 60 years. She was a member of the KD Alumni Association, where she served as President and helped establish both the Vanderbilt and Samford chapters. She was a member of the Silhouette’s Dance Club, Harlequins Dance Club, Gaieties, Highlands Sewing Circle, Money Matters, and The Country Club of Birmingham. She was a member of the UAB School of Nursing Board of Visitors and an active member and Sunday school teacher at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Beloved by her children, 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, she inspired strength and unwavering commitment to her family. She was known to all as a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. She was fiercely loyal to all those she held dear, and they were all equally devoted to her. She took special interest in each member of her extensive family and was determined to have everyone close and connected to each other. She lived up to her role as the matriarch of her family and was the glue that kept everyone together. She was the consummate hostess, opened her home to celebrate birthdays and holidays, and hosted weekly "Family Fun Nights” on Sundays, which were the source of many spirited debates and deep conversations. This helped keep the family close and for that her family is forever grateful. She was an unstoppable force with a sharp wit, elegant and stunning in looks, and always dressed to the nines. She held herself and her family to the highest standards, believing in them, even if they had trouble believing in themselves.

She is survived by her son Joseph E. Sandner III (Barbara), her daughters Lynne Sandner Hennessy (Tim), Rita Sandner Wright (Drew), Carol Ann Sandner Phillips (Frank), her grandchildren, Joseph Edward Sandner IV (Julie), Elizabeth Sandner Rich (Rusty), Sally Sandner Dew (Dustin), Timothy Cornelius Hennessy, Jr. (Melanie), Peter Sandner Hennessy (Rhonda), John Patrick Hennessy (Eve), Joseph Michael Hennessy, Abigail Wright Moore (Patrick), Katherine Wright Gamble (Ross), Rita Cecil Wright King (Hobart), Virginia Carol Wright, Frank Hardy Phillips, Jr., Carol Ann “Annie” Phillips, and Margaret Nim “Margot” Sandner Phillips, great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Everett Sandner, Frances Feagin Sandner, Joseph Edward Sandner V, Philip Andrew Rich, John Robert Rich, Barbara Wallace Rich, Bankston Wallace Dew, Timothy C. Hennessy III, William Walker Hennessy, Anna Caroline Hennessy, Mary Lynne Hennessy, Peter Sandner Hennessy, Wilson Caldwell Hennessy, John Patrick Hennessy Jr., Henry Hall Hennessy, Eleanor Vera Gamble, Luke Everett Gamble, Isaac Andrew Gamble; sister, Catherine Styslinger (Lee) and sister-in-law Georgina Smith.

Her family would like to give special thanks to Brenda and Louis Wilson as well as Ruby, Rose, Shirley, Lesa, Tiffany and Margaret who provided such dedicated care in her final year.

A family Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, October 20,2021 at 10:00 AM at The Cathedral of Saint Paul and burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest that donations be made to Catholic Charites, 2121 Third Avenue North, Birmingham, AL or the charity of your choice.