Mrs. Kenny Lee Sandifer, died at St. Dominic Hospital surrounded by her 4 loving children in the late evening of Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Mrs. Sandifer was a proud breast cancer survivor and many other medical conditions and surgeries. Her family believes she was the strongest woman they knew because of her determination to fight to get better after each illness. She loved to play the piano. She played the piano for church services at Monterey Methodist Church for many years.
Mrs. Sandifer was born on January 1, 1938, at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS, Hinds County, to Kenneth "Wayne" Smith and Gussie P. Williams Smith. She was a "New Years" baby. She had two siblings, Anna Carol Smith Tucker and Brenda Gayle Smith Greenwalt, both now deceased. Kenny Lee grew up and remained a life-long resident of the Monterey Community of Rankin County and graduated from Florence High School in 1955. After graduation, she began her career as an administrative assistant to several different CEO's of several large companies in the Jackson, MS area.
She married the love of her life, John B. Sandifer on February 11, 1956, at Monterey United Methodist Church in FLorence, MS. Afterwards she joined him as he served in the United States Marine Corps located at Camp LeJuene, North Carolina. She and John lived on the military base in North Carolina and moved to several other military bases during his tour of duty.
Mrs. Sandifer is survived by her four loving children, Janet Sandifer Lawson (Jeff), Lorrie Sandifer Taylor, Stevie Sandifer (Shelia), and Scott Sandifer (Pam). Mrs. Sandifer was the proud grandmother, "Nana" of seven grandchildren, whom she absolutely adored, Regina, Brandi, Brittany, Corey, Brooke, Paige, and Morgan. She was also "Nana" to twelve great grandchildren, Shelby, Clay, Brady, Audrey, Brennan, Brody, Emmalyn, Brees, Ben, Elizabeth, Luca, and Landon. Mrs. Sandifer had two nephews, Jevin Tucker and Joey Horton, and three nieces, Shayla Horton, Linda Sandifer Ray, and Ginger Sandifer Robinson. She also had many more nieces and nephews by marriage, whom she loved unconditionally. Family was so important to her, as she strived daily to keep her family close. Phone calls on birthdays and lunch at her home on Holidays were a tradition, and she made sure everyone received their invitation.
Mrs. Sandifer was a faithful member of Briar Hill Baptist Church where she attended her beloved "Bible Study", where she made so many wonderful friends. She loved the Lord and lived her life as a true Christian. She was the true example of a "Southern Belle", with a beautiful smile and the most generous, kind-hearted personality that anyone who met her, fell in love with. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were honored to call her Mama and Nana.
Visitation will be held from 10:00am until 12:00pm, Friday, June 27, 2025, at Briar Hill Baptist Church in Florence. Funeral services will follow at 12:00pm with interment in the church cemetery.
If so led, donations may be made in her honor to either of the following:
Briar Hill Baptist Church, Senior Group, Florence, MS
Breast Cancer Awareness Society
Children's Miracle Network, UMC, Jackson, MS
