Sandra Ann Fortney

Sandy went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother (Grandy), sister and friend to many. She was passionate and devoted to her Catholic faith. In addition to her love for the lord, her greatest joy was derived from her son and his happy marriage to the love of his life, Laura. Craig and Laura’s children, Sandy’s two grandkids Brett and Kendall, were able to see what a happy, committed and faithful marriage looked like. By the grace of God, they both have happy marriages and beautiful families. This would be Sandy’s greatest legacy.

A proud Texan and Native Houstonian, Sandy attended Poe Elementary, Kinkaid Junior High and graduated from Lamar High School in 1952. As a devoted Catholic, she was a long-time member of St. Michaels. After marrying Gerald Fortney and moving to Clear Lake, they were founding members of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Her years in Clear Lake were some of her best. She and Gerald enjoyed boating and everything to do with the water. The 60’s and 70’s were exciting years in the Clear Lake area. NASA was going strong, and Craig’s athletic career brought Sandy great pride and joy. She also enjoyed playing second mom to many of Craig’s best friends.

After Gerald’s passing, and Craig’s graduation from High School, Sandy returned to Houston and continued her work in real estate\, which she had just started in the Clear Lake area.

Prior to marrying Gerald and moving to Clear Lake, she worked at Texas Commerce Bank, a job she loved. In Houston most of her working career was in the real estate business (a span of almost 50 years), mostly with John Daugherty Realtors. The final chapter of her working career was spent helping her son in his business, Spear Paint Contracting Inc. Although the real estate business was tough, Sandy thrived in the people aspect, incredibly loyal and honest, she had countless friends that were customers and fellow realtors. While working at Spear Paint, she was affectionally known as Ms. Sandy. Her concern and respect for the painters was genuine and greatly appreciated by the men. Customers loved to call and chat with her. Her passion for premier service was contagious and made us all better people, and a better company. Even after her retirement, she wanted to know about every job, every day.

Sandy adored both her dad Bill and mother Beverly (Bailey) Shawell. Although they have been deceased for years, she spoke of them fondly almost every day, missing them terribly. She remained very close to her siblings. The two brothers whom she was so proud, Randy Shawell, her older brother was a successful independent oil man and die-hard Longhorn. Her younger brother Kerry Shawell, another hardcore Longhorn, remains active in the commercial real estate business. Kerry has lived very close to Sandy for the last several years. She was very blessed to have two devoted brothers who loved and cared for her. Her younger sister Sherry, whom resides in Lakeway, had a very successful career with Continental Airlines. She has traveled extensively and enjoys great friendships. Sherry and Sandy remained very close throughout their lives and loved one another very deeply. Her nephews, nieces and cousins are all successful in their own right and Sandy was quite proud and fond of them all.

In addition to her love of the Lord, and her absolute devotion to her family, Sandy had a host of friends that she cherished, many of which have preceded her to heaven. She longed to be reunited with lifelong friends Nancy & Milt, June & Ted, Trinka & Ron, Donna, Jim Doyle and several others. Her parents, brother Randy and Gerald await her arrival. The reunion in heaven should be spectacular (hope Jesus and St. Peter have a really good sense of humor). In recent years, her friendships with The Breakfast Group brought her great joy, and she truly appreciated being included.

The family will miss their matriarch. Her friends will miss the smart and clever gal that everyone loved. Some of the great grandkids will not remember her but have to rely on our stories. Sandy will be greatly missed by many, but none more than by her only child, son Craig. They had a lifetime together and a very special relationship. Although they had a helluva run and Sandy was ready to go, the void will be most difficult.

Sandy is proceeded in death by her parents William Jerome and Beverly Kerr Shawell, her paternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. William Shawell, her maternal grandparents Doris Beal Kerr and Michael Medard Kerr (founding pioneers of Galveston,) her beloved brother Randy Shawell and his son Cameron, Sister Sherry’s husband Michael Bettis, Craig’s father Richard Spear and second husband Gerald Fortney.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her beloved son Craig Spear and wife Laura, her brother Kerry Shawell, wife Amanda, and his son Shannon, her sister Sherry Bettis and her daughter Brooke, her niece Randa Wiener, her husband KC Wiener and their daughter Cameron, Nancy Shawell, widow of her brother Randy, her nephew Ragan Shawell and his two children Caden and Riley, her niece Leslie and her daughter Kirby, first cousins Fred and Cinda Armstrong, and Dale and Donna Sands, and the grandchildren she adored, Brett Spear and his wife Destiney, and their two children Haley and Taylor Spear. Her granddaughter Kendall Davis and her husband Alex Davis and their four children Mckenzie, Hayden, Kennedy and Shepard. Kendall and Alex are expecting their fifth child.

A rosary will be recited Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 7:00PM at St. Michael’s Church located at 1801 Sage Rd., Houston, TX 77056. The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, August 23, 2024 at 10:00am at St. Michael’s Church.

Craig and the family wish to extend a special and heartfelt thanks to Karen Davis, whom lovingly assisted Sandy in her last few years. Karen’s patience, kindness and devotion are greatly appreciated.