Sandra Jean Drury

Ms. Sandra (Sandy) Norris Thomas Drury, 71, passed away at 7:05 AM on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Jacksonville with her daughter and sister by her side. She was a native of Hazel Park, Michigan and moved to Eulonia, Georgia in 1960. She attended Kindergarten at Henry Ford Elementary School in Hazel Park, Michigan. She did part of her elementary school years at Darien Elementary School in Darien, Georgia and the remainder of her years she attended Oglethorpe Academy and was graduated from there in 1973. Her mother, Kay Norris, was instrumental in helping to develop the Academy. Upon graduation from Savannah College of Cosmetology, she opened and operated Sandy’s Hair Salon.

She married Raymond Thomas in 1976, who was the Assistant Captain of a shrimp boat. Sandy and Raymond worked together tirelessly to buy their own shrimp boat. At that time, it was the biggest and best in the river and she was christened the Sea Shelley, after their daughter. Several years later they were blessed with another daughter, Alacia. A turn in life took them to Jacksonville as owners of The Seafood House at Julington Creek. A few years later Sandy with her daughters would move to Jekyll Island to be near her family. The girls attended school in Glynn County while simultaneously Sandy went into the banking business. Jekyll became their home with the three of them energetically making lifelong friends and having fun.

Sandy was known on the island as a fashionista, she was always deeply interested in the latest trends in clothing with accessories to match. She was bubbly, vivacious and knew everyone on the island! The bank was not only the busiest place on the island, it was also the best destination for treats and decorations. She had this amazing ability for decorating which followed her through life. Sandy was passionate about dancing and in a timeline in that part of her life she married Gary Drury. It is reputed that Sandy and Gary were the best Shaggers in this part of Georgia! They attended every convention far and wide. Dancing stayed with Sandy to the latest stages of Alzheimer's. You could frequently find her at the assisted living facility social room dancing away!

She was proceeded in death by her parents Gene and Kay Norris of Jekyll Island. She is survived by two daughters, Chelle Thomas Dodson (Bret) of St. Augustine, FL and Alacia Thomas of Brunswick, GA. The pride and joy of life, her granddaughter, Alexandria Michelle Seawell (Alacia’s daughter). Also, Two sisters Dr. Patricia Norris-Parsons, of Jekyll Island, GA, and Pamela Strickland of St. Augustine, Florida. She is also survived by one nephew Braxton Parsons (Sara) of Atlanta, GA, and one Great Grandnephew, Theo Parsons.

Funeral services will be held at Edo Miller’s, Saturday, March 21st, 11:00 AM followed by a celebration of her life at Brunswick Manor.

In lieu of flowers make contributions to the Alzheimer's Association. http://act.alz.org/goto/chelledodson