Sandra Ward Lott passed away peacefully on November 15th, 2020, at her home in Montevallo, AL. She was born November 29, 1937 in Birmingham, AL, the eldest of two children of Larry Fern Ward, Sr. and Madeline Nabors Ward.
Sandra attended West End High School in Birmingham, AL. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Montevallo (then Alabama College) in 1958 and a Master’s degree from Emory University. She returned to Montevallo in 1960 to teach English at her alma mater. She married John Bertrand Lott, who also taught at the university, on August 25, 1961. The couple raised three rowdy children, Anna (David Haws), Bert (Jane Livingston) and Ward, in the Montevallo community. Sandra is also survived by her grandchildren, John David Lott Haws, Rowan Bertrand Lott, Mia Livingston-Edwards and foster grandsons Mark and Christopher Gallegos. Sandra was preceded in death by John (2017), by her parents, and by her brother Larry (2008).
Throughout her life, Sandra was active in her university, church, and town communities. She was an exceptional teacher, offering such eclectic courses as children’s and young adult literature, Shakespeare, and Japanese literature and culture. Sandra retired as Professor of English in 1997. She was an active leader in the Montevallo National Alumni Association and received the Alumna Loyalty Award in 2014. She was also an especially committed leader and active member of the Montevallo chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW) serving multiple terms as president. In 2003, Sandra received the AAUW Pathfinder Award, which recognizes a longtime member who has given outstanding service to the branch and to the community. Sandra was a lifelong member of the Montevallo First United Methodist Church, where she was an especially supportive member of United Methodist Women and claimed membership for decades in the “Young Adult” Sunday School class. Sandra and John were involved in various community literacy projects and were champions of Montevallo’s thriving arts community. In 2012 Sandra and John were recognized jointly as Montevallo’s Citizens of the Year at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet.
The family is deferring a memorial service until November 2021, when we can meet and celebrate Sandra’s life and memories of her, but welcomes virtual remembrances sent to [email protected]. In lieu of memorial gifts, donations may be sent to the Montevallo First United Methodist Church, PO Box 72, Montevallo, AL 35115, the AAUW Montevallo Branch, PO Box 507, Montevallo, AL 3511, or the University of Montevallo Foundation, UM Station 6215, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL 35115.
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