Born July 22, 1936, Sondra was a life long resident of St. Louis where she attended Buder Elementary and Roosevelt High Schools. Her connection to Buder School would continue when she headed the Mother’s Club while her sons were students. She would also serve as president of the PTA at Southwest High School.
Sondra married Leroy Grider April 18, 1953 and they raised two sons and many cherished pets in homes on Lansdowne Avenue, including more than 40 years near Francis Park in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood, where they spent many happy hours with grandchildren, family and friends.
Along with Leroy, she was active in her church life at Kingshighway Baptist Church where she taught a girl’s Sunday School class and in more recent years at Kirkwood Baptist Church.
In addition to raising her family, Sondra enjoyed jobs at the St. Louis Police Department and as a bookkeeper at Butler’s Pantry Catering.
Sondra was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Leroy, who passed away Nov. 26. She is survived by sons Roger (Jeanette) and Brian Grider, granddaughters Amber and Layla, and dear sister Rita (Bud) Stallings. She was an adored aunt to Renee (Tony) Alivento, Robyn (Bill Cook), Robert (Kim) Catron, Jr., Laura (Ted) Satcher and Lisa (David) Nix. She was also preceded in death by an infant son Bruce, and her parents Frank and Ila Haislip.
A celebration of Sondra’s life will be held Tuesday, December 21, with visitation at 10 a.m. followed by the service at noon, at Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa Street, St. Louis, MO 63109. Internment at Sunset Memorial Park, 10180 Gravois Road.
Donations may be made to the Humane Society of Missouri, 1201 Macklind, St. Louis, MO 63110 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 9370 Olive Boulevard, St.Louis, MO 63132.
