Sandra Beard Hurley, 72, of Cordova, TN passed away on December 13, 2019, after a valiant 14-year battle with endometrial stromal sarcoma (cancer). She faced this battle with courage and peace trusting fully in God. She was preceded in death by her parents Calvin Beard and Mary L. Gwynn Beard Boldreghini and Frank V. Boldreghini of Memphis, TN.
Sandra is survived by her three children Michelle Hurley Sumner (Darrel), Natalie Hurley Harden Schmidt (Russ) and Matthew “Maverick” Hurley, her grandchildren Zac Sumner (Quinn), Nate Sumner, Kyle Sumner, Ann-Elise Sumner, AJ Harden, Logan Harden, Matthew Harden, her former son-in-law Drew Harden and her four siblings Calvin Beard (Janet) of Seabrook, TX, Gloria Beard Thomas (Billy) of Arlington, TN, Diana Beard McElhaney (Raz) of Cordova, TN and Wayne Beard of Atlanta, GA.
Sandra was born in Memphis, TN on February 12, 1947 and grew up in the Highland Heights area of Memphis attending Treadwell High School (class of 1965) where she met her former husband the late Raoul Hurley (class of 1961) also of Memphis, TN.
During her time at Treadwell High School, Sandra carried on the Beard family tradition of involvement, achievement and leadership finding her place in that legacy through attaining honors including National Honor Society, Cheerleader, Student Council Officer, “Girl of the Month”, “Best Looking” in 1965 Senior Class Hall of Fame, Memphis Press-Scimitar’s “Teenager of the Week” 1964-1965 and Levy’s department store “Young Independent” Fashion Board member and model.
Sandra achieved particular distinction through her involvement in Treadwell’s Distributive Education (DECA) program winning the Ben C. Parks Retailing Award earning the title of “Outstanding Distributive Education Student of the Year in Memphis” ultimately being nominated for the 1965 National DECA “Student of the Year” award, all of which foreshadowed Sandra’s future successful career in personnel and staffing. Following graduation from Treadwell, Sandra attended Memphis State University on academic scholarship for 2 years before starting a family.
In the early 1980’s Sandra began her career in staffing and personnel with Norrell Staffing Services. Sandra was hired for her combination of “spunk, spirit and work ethic that is so hard to find.” Sandra was given the responsibility of building the light industrial market in Memphis and from the ground up she built a team that eventually became the nationwide top market for Norrell Light Industrial. Sandra won the Norrell President’s Club distinction multiple times as well as “Distinguished Sales Award”, “Profit Center of the Year”, “Top Sales of the Year” and “Five Star Quality Award for Customer Satisfaction”, the later of these awards being especially characteristic of what a co-worker said about her: “Sandra was an innovative leader who always had the customer in the center of her plans and heart – her appreciation of quality and servant leadership served her well and endeared her to clients.”
Sandra was an accomplished Bridge player and a founding member of “Girls Bridge Group”, later re-named “The Hens”, that came together in 1968 as a group of women who became friends as members of “Class 10” married couples class at Highland Heights United Methodist Church. “The Hens” met monthly for food, fellowship and a friendly game of Bridge for the better part of 50 years.
Sandra absolutely loved to dance to the great music of the 1950’s and 1960’s and was long-time, active member of The Memphis Bop Club. Sandra rarely missed an opportunity to join her Bop Club friends dancing on Friday nights.
Sandra was a faithful member of the “Connections” adult class at Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, TN and enjoyed attending weekly Bible Study and exercise classes.
Sandra took great pleasure in striving to make other people’s days brighter. Known by her long-time friends as “Little Miss Sunshine”, she often said “It doesn’t cost you anything to brighten someone’s day by giving them a smile.”
The family will receive friends XXXday, January XX, 2020, from 10:00AM to 11:00AM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens located at 3700 North Germanton Pkwy, Bartlett, TN 38133. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00AM followed by a brief interment ceremony. A light hors d’oeurves reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Love Worth Finding Ministries (lwf.org).
