Sandra "Sandy" Spearman Onley

Sandra “Sandy” Spearman Onley, lovingly known as “Bunny”, came into this world in the year 1940 and died May 24, 2024. She was the daughter of George Ansel Spearman and Clara Blanche Broome Spearman. She was the youngest of her doting siblings Mary Lou, Sara, Louise, and Bill.

The fabric of Sandy’s life is woven from threads of strong family unity, compassionate action, resilience, and elegance. As the youngest she was raised by her parents and her immediate family. The unified loving embrace of parents, sisters, brother, and their spouses laid the foundation for her confidence, kindness and love for those around her. She was bright, playful, and popular with her friends as a child and remained in close contact with them throughout her life.

At the passing of her Father and sole breadwinner when she was just a young teenager, she experienced the strength and resiliency of the Spearman Family women when her Mother, Blanche, and her sister-in-law, Alice, joined forces and talents and started a catering business for weddings and parties to support the family. It became a very successful business. She emulated this skill, intelligence, persistence and can-do approach throughout her life.

Sandy married Robert “Rocky” Onley when she was twenty-one and they settled in Sarasota, FL. She loved the beaches and sun and was happiest when family came to visit. They had their children, Davida and David. She soon began her career with the Circuit Court in Sarasota, FL. Using her intelligence, organization, and drive she quickly became Supervisor to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Her commitment to loving and caring for her family always outweighed her career.

Sandy’s kindness was not solely heard in her soothing voice and compassionate words, she also took action. Her silken voice, sense of justice, and compassion helped many women while counseling at the Rape Crisis Center in Sarasota, FL, which she co-founded in the 70’s. Her bravery helped shift the balance of justice prevalent at that time. This is one of the many examples portraying her compassion and caring where she followed through with strength and meaningful action.

In the early 90’s, Sandy returned home to Columbia to help care for her Mother and in no time she was immersed working with her niece, Billie, in several business endeavors – first Galaxy Hardware then Mitchell Center. Sandy cherished working with her family and the times they spent together in and out of the office. Antiquing, lunches, and dinners were all special occasions to her when family and close friends were by her side.

Sandra has joined her parents, Clara Blanche and George Spearman; and siblings, Mary Lou Croxton, Sara Fairley, Louise Lawson, and Bill Spearman; and her grandson, Devin Ezzell in Heaven.

Sandra is survived by her sister-in-law, Alice Spearman; her children, Davida Onley and David Onley; her grandchildren Damien Ezzell, Ann Ezzell, and Darrien Norton; and her great grandchildren Cole Johnson and Savannah Johnson.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, June 2nd at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers we request donations be made in her name to Sistercare: www.sistercare.org and Lighthouse for Life: www.lighthouseforlife.org.