Shirley Kerr Sands

Shirley Kerr Sands passed to eternal life on Wednesday, the 10th of December 2014. Shirley was a beloved wife, mother, grand and great grandmother. She was born in New York City the 6th of September 1918 to Doris Beall Kerr and Medard Kerr. Her family were Galveston natives, and she relocated to Houston when she was 13 where many relatives still lived. Shirley graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1936 and from the University of Texas at Austin in 1940. She had a Bachelor of Arts and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, the source of a 40-year sister's bridge club and many life-long friendships. Shirley was also a member of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women.

Shirley married Edward Emmett Sands in January, 1942 and was married for 58 years until Eddie's death in 2000. Shirley and Eddie had four loving children; Cinda, Dale, Bruce and Scott. Shirley was predeceased by her parents, her husband Edward Emmett Sands and her sons Bruce Alan Sands and Scott Kerr Sands. Shirley is survived by her daughter Cinda Sands Armstrong and her husband Fred Robert Armstrong and son Dale Garrison Sands and wife Donna Braun Sands; grandchildren Allison Armstrong Ayers and husband David, Kendall Armstrong Robinson and husband Alec, Kurt Garrison Sands and wife Erin, Cameron Frederick Sands and Christopher Scott Sands; great grandchildren Kendall Kerr and Mary Elizabeth Ayers, Allison Louise and Isabel Armstrong Robinson, Reynolds Marie and Patrick Garrison Sands. The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the service of her devoted friend and caregiver of eight years, Deola Estes.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers will be David Ayers, Alec Robinson, Cameron Sands, Christopher Sands and Kurt Sands.

The funeral mass is to be offered at eleven o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 16th of December, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive, where Fr. Drew Wood is to serve as celebrant.

The Rite of Committal is to follow, via an escorted cortege, at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Shirley’s memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.