Sandra Maye Raney

SANDRA HILL RANEY passed from this world into the Kingdom of Heaven December 2, 2009 at Medical Center Hospital. Sandra (pronounced Sondra) was born Sandra Maye Hill on January 17, 1941 in Jacksonville, Texas to B. A. and Golda Spivey Hill. Her family moved to Huntsville, Texas in 1944. She graduated from Huntsville High School with the class of 1958. Sandra attended Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas then transferred to The University of Texas at Austin, being graduated with a B.B.A. in accounting in 1962. Sandra began piano lessons at the age of five, then lessons on the pipe organ at the age of thirteen. She continued to take organ lessons and play her entire life. Sandra expressed that the organ was her ministry for God and to Christ Episcopal Church where she was organist exceeding twenty years. Sandra served on the Vestry of Christ Church and was the first woman to serve as Senior Warden, a position in which she served for two years. Sandra and James E. Raney were life-long sweethearts, having met in the fourth grade. They married January 27, 1962, and shared a wonderful and fulfilling life together. Sandra and James moved to Nacogdoches on July 4, 1966 to establish the Varsity Book Store. Sandra, at James’ side, successfully operated their business through February 2003. She continued in business as owner of Varsity Embroidery until October 2009. Sandra was involved in many social and civic activities. She was always supportive of anything that benefited the community, its music or Stephen F. Austin State University. She is survived by her husband, James, and her two daughters Penny Raney Schmidt and husband Donal Ray Schmidt, Jr. of Dallas, Texas and Julie Raney Williams and husband Kirby L. Williams of Flower Mound, Texas. Her warm, brown eyes glistened when she spoke to or talked about her six wonderful grandchildren, whom she loved dearly, Kate Schmidt, Claire Schmidt, Donal Ray (“Dray”) Schmidt III, Samuel L. Williams, and the twins Avery and Zoë Williams. Their summer trips to Florida beaches with Mimi will never be forgotten. Funeral services will be at Christ Episcopal Church on Saturday, December 5, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., with Father Gary Hill officiating. Sandra will be laid to rest in Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be at Cason-Monk from 5:00 to 7:00 on Friday evening, December 4, 2009. Pallbearers will be Dr. Arthur Leo Speck, Dr. John R. Pack, Johnny Hayman, Johnnie Johnson, Gary C. Godfrey, Mike Aikin, Billy Willis and Kyle Doss. The family would like to thank all the many friends who have shown so much kindness during these times. Memorial donations may be made to the music program of Christ Episcopal Church, 502 E. Starr, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961, or to the American Cancer Society.