Sandra Jeane Willis Dowling

Sandra Jeane Willis Dowling was born on October 14, 1940, and lived a rich, full and blessed life until her last breath on September 20, 2025, when she left this earth to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sandra was preceded in death by her mother and father, Estelle Allen Willis and McLynn Eugene Willis, her brother Carl “Bud” Frank Willis DVM and the love of her life and husband of 58 years, Willie Woodrow Dowling. She is survived by her daughter Dione Dowling McGrew Heusel, her granddaughters, Meggan Elizabeth McGrew and Jamie Michelle McGrew and her great grandson, James Noah McGrew, her brother Holmes McLynn Willis and her sister, Beverly Willis Nall (Robert), her nieces and nephews and her many, many friends.

Sandra was born in Willis, Oklahoma, the first born of Estelle and McLynn Willis. After graduating from Ft. Smith Senior High School, Sandra worked for a year for Pittsburgh Plate Glass. First in birth order, Sandra was strong-willed, determined and fiercely independent. In 1959, Sandra left her family moving from Ft. Smith, Arkansas to Mobile, Alabama, a place she’d never been before with her best friend. In October of that same year, she met Willie and three months later they married. They were blessed with one child, Dione.

Sandra worked in the legal field, then in the corporate world, retiring from Ruby Tuesday Inc. in 1999.

Sandra was an accomplished artist creating commissioned works of art in oils and acrylics. She also enjoyed other creative outlets including sewing, baking and writing.

Her greatest joy was spending time with her granddaughters, Meggan and Jamie, and later with her great grandson, Noah.

Sandra (and Willie) found a church home at Creekwood Church of Christ where they attended until her passing. Friendships with church members sustained her after Willie’s passing and in her last days on earth. Simply put, Sandra cherished her church family.

While Sandra was known for her many attributes and accomplishments, she will be best remembered for her deep faith and her equally deep love for her family and friends.

The family gives special thanks to Christina Qualls, Dorothy Mims, Janie Meyer, and Pam Gambill of Heart to Heart Home Care LLC, and to David Thompson of St. Joseph’s Hospice for their loving care of Sandra in the last months of her life. Because of their devotion, Sandra was able to do what she wanted most … remain in the home she’d shared with Willie.

Visitation will take place at Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama 36606, on Friday September 26, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with services immediately following. There will be no graveside service. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to donate to their favorite charity or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Association.