Sandra R. Johnson

Sixty-four years ago on November 11, 1949 in Weimar, Texas, Thomas E. and Doris Smith Wilborn were blessed with a daughter. They named her Sandra Elaine Wilborn. Sandra became a big sister three years later upon the arrival of Thomas Jr. She spent her formative years in Prairie View, Texas where she was an industrious student who excelled in her college prep courses. After graduation, she attended the University of Houston and majored in Accounting. While at the University of Houston, Sandra was initiated into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Epsilon Lambda Chapter. Upon graduation from UH, Sandra moved to St. Louis to begin her career in accounting with American Can Company.

After a few years, Sandra had an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream when she joined IBM in 1974. She applied her accounting skills at their downtown Finance office as a Systems Engineer where she was recognized at two Systems Engineeering Symposium Conferences. Her career with IBM allowed her to live in many places after St. Louis including Seattle, WA; Oakland, CA; Dallas, TX and back to California; for Sandra IBM really did stand for ‘I’ve Been Moved’. She travelled extensively in the US and to Europe, South America and Asia, where she documented her trips in photographs and a doll from each country for her daughter. To quote Sandra when she retired from IBM…

“You probably don’t recall when “I did not work for IBM”. Well… another of those periods approaches. I am retiring from IBM on March 28th. My high school dream to work for IBM became a reality and I have enjoyed the 35 years and 8 months that I have spent here. My career has included roles in: Systems Engineering, Regional staff, the Information Network, Learning: Content Designer/Developer/Facilitator/Curriculum Architect, curriculum marketing/advertising, worldwide Y2K Instructor, conference management, Learning Partner and Workforce Partner. This has been an awesome ride and a Blessing! As for my future, I’m looking forward to spending more time on my photography and jewelry hobbies. Planning to chase a few mountains and other objects of interest with my camera in tow.”

In 1986, Sandra Wilborn married Earnest Rutherford and to that union was born a very special daughter, Alexandra Camille Wilborn Rutherford, who was the light of Sandra’s life. Sandra and Earnie dissolved their marriage and remained friends as they co-parented Alexandra. In 2003, Sandra met Mark Johnson of Riverside, CA through family friends and struck up a friendship that led to marriage in April 2007. Sandra stayed in Dallas until Alexandra graduated from High school and then officially joined Mark in California.

Sandra professed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Corinth Missionary Baptist Church. She was very active in church and sang in the children’s choir. While Sandra did not always worship at a Baptist church, she remained faithful and her Christian spirit was a shining example to others; always encouraging, supportive and lovely inside and out.

Sandra was an active member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Dallas Chapter for 12 years. She shared her extraordinary talents for organization and project management when she chaired the 1996 Regional Teen Conference, multiple Beautillion fundraisers and various other committees. She remained a devoted member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. until Alexandra graduated in 2007.

Sandra Rutherford Johnson spent her final moments on February 16, 2014 surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by her loving husband, Mark Johnson; daughter, Alexandra Rutherford; Step-father, Rev. Fletcher Williams (affectionately known as Dad); Step-children, Nichelle and Marcus Johnson; Brothers, U.S. Army Major Anthony Campbell (Toshytome) and Mark Wilborn; Sisters, Charlotte Wilborn and Kristi Johnson; nieces and nephews Tameka Ozan (Fredrick), Rodrick Wilborn, Tiffany Wilborn Gasper (Chad), Patrick Campbell, Ryan Wilborn, Marcus Wilborn; and a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Waiting to greet her in the loving arms of Jesus are her parents Thomas E. Wilborn, Doris Smith Williams, her brother Thomas E. Wilborn, Jr. and her niece Kandace Wilborn.

Don’t weep for Sandra…she’s only off ‘chasing a few mountains’ and watching over us all.