Sandra G Withers

Sandra Gauntz Withers, 80, of Douglasville, Georgia, died peacefully on March 8, 2026. Sandy was born on November 26, 1945, in Bellaire, Ohio, to Ellsworth and Betty Jane Gauntz. She spent most of her childhood in Ohio and Michigan, before the family relocated to Alexandria, Louisiana, the summer before her senior year of high school (the timing of the move remained a sore subject for her).

Sandy graduated from Emory University with a degree in Nursing. Less than a week after graduating, she married Richard Henry Withers of Decatur, Georgia, on Saturday, June 15, 1968. Following their honeymoon, the couple settled in Lithia Springs, Georgia, and a few years later, in Douglasville, where they happily lived for more than 50 years. Sandy worked as a nurse at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta before starting their family.

She was a devoted wife, mother, and later, grandmother, and her family was her greatest joy. Sandy poured her energy into raising their three children. Through her generous and loving nature, she encouraged her children to pursue whatever interested them—from art to summer camps to short-lived guitar lessons—and sat through an abundance of sports, dance recitals, and impromptu living-room performances with enthusiasm for all. Sandy loved making their home a welcoming place for her children’s friends; she never said no to sleepovers or adding another chair to the dinner table.

Sandy and Richard were faithful members of the First United Methodist Church of Douglasville throughout their marriage, where they made lifelong friends. They shared countless meals and get-togethers with this social circle, which became their extended family. Sandy had a servant’s heart, and volunteered her time to the church as well as many other organizations, including Junior League, Stephen Ministry, P.E.O. Sisterhood, and Meals on Wheels. She held leadership roles in several of them.

Sandy played on ALTA tennis teams year-round and loved going to Georgia Tech football games with Richard each fall. She was an accomplished bridge player. When Richard retired in the late 2000s, the couple enjoyed international travel, but never missed their annual trip to New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Sandy is survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard; children: Rick (Christine) Withers of Smyrna, Elizabeth (Judson) Flynn of Decatur, and Rachel (Matthew) Bine of Milton; grandchildren: Audrey Flynn, Sadie Flynn, Hadley Withers, Andrew Bine, and Emily Bine; and sister Rebekah (Jack) Dyer of New Orleans, Louisiana. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on March 20, 2026, at First United Methodist Church of Douglasville. Visitation will follow the service at the church’s Huffine Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Douglasville in her memory.