Sandra Firment Titus

Sandra Titus (Firment) was born on December 9, 1947, in New Orleans, the beloved only child of the late Alfred Leonce Firment and Mary LeBlanc Firment. In 1965, she graduated from John McDonogh High School, where under the watchful eye of her father as principal, she met the love of her life, David Milton Titus. She earned a Bachelor of Education from Southeastern Louisiana College and later, a Master of Education from University of New Orleans. On November 22, 1969, David and Sandra began 56 years of their married lives together that included teaching, traveling, and laughing. Sandra taught kindergarten and pre-kindergarten in New Orleans public schools for 33 years, spending most of her career at Schaumburg Elementary, where she formed lifelong friendships.

While she touched so many lives as a teacher and treasured colleague, Sandra’s greatest accomplishments were her three daughters, Melissa Titus Thomas (George John Thomas III), Kelly Titus Scalise (David Scalise), and Allyson Titus Nelson (Robert Nelson). She reveled with her girls in three-plus hour dance recitals, summers in above-ground pools, and road trips with snacks and activity bags. Sandra was most proud to see her daughters accomplish their dreams after long years of school.

After her retirement, Sandra became “Gram” to seven grandsons, Jackson Thomas, Matthew Scalise, Peter Scalise, Luke Scalise, Bennett Nelson, James Nelson, and Carter Nelson. Gram and Pop were enthusiastic, front-row spectators at a myriad of sports games, including football, soccer, rugby, cross country, and basketball. She loved book fairs, movies, sleepovers, and visiting the Audubon Zoo and Insectarium with her boys.

Sandra fought a courageous battle with cancer, growing all the more devout in her Catholic faith. Her fight ended on June 27, 2026, but her memory will remain in the hearts of her Dave, her devoted daughters and their families, her extended family, her dear friends, and the friends she had in passing because Sandra never met a stranger.

Sandra is survived by her husband, David; her daughters and their husbands; her grandchildren; her cousins whom she considered her brothers, Allison Launey (Sandra), Bruce Launey (Mary Ann), and Richard Launey (Joan); and her “nieces” and “nephews” and their children, some to whom she was godmother.

Sandra’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Suma Reddy-Satti and the staff at The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center for their extraordinary treatment and compassion. Without their exceptional care, her family would not have been blessed with an additional two and half years.

Family and friends are invited to a Funeral Mass at St. Ann Church, 4940 Meadowdale St., Metairie, La, on July 17, 2026. Visitation will take place from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by a mass at noon and a private burial.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to HealthWell Foundation (https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/donors/individual-donors/), a nonprofit organization that supports cancer patients in need.