Sandra Leona Lyons-Pickford

Sandra Leona Lyons-Pickford was born March 30, 1942 in Denver, Colorado. She was the 2nd and last child born to Rev. Sandy Leon Lyons and Mrs. Elzena Nancy Lyons. It was said that her sister, Verona, couldn’t wait to have a little sister.

As a result of her father’s career as a minister, Sandra’s formative years were spent between Denver, Colorado; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Casper, Wyoming. Sandra vividly remembers being classmates with former Vice-President Richard Cheney while attending school in Casper. Upon her family’s return to Denver, Sandra attended Denver Public Schools and graduated from East High School.

Sandra accepted Christ at an early age and was a church member throughout her life. In support of their father’s ministry, Sandra and her sister, Verona, would often perform as a duet in church and at various community events. Sandra’s rich contralto voice mingled easily with her sister’s lyric soprano.

In March 1962, Sandra gave birth to her daughter, Eunice. In 1962, Sandra married Andrew R.D Pickford Jr. To this union were born two sons, Henry Lee Vincent and Leon Christopher Todd.

Sandra and her husband operated a residential and commercial cleaning business for more than 40 years. They operated as International Maid Service, Homemakers of America and Homemaker’s Joint Venture.

In later years, she and her husband’s companies successfully bid on painting contracts through the federal department of Housing & Urban Development’s Low Income Multi-Family Property Revitalization Program. Their Homemaker’s Joint Venture entity successfully provided the window washing services for many years at Denver’s old Stapleton Airport. Sandra was also eager to share her business successes and failures to anyone who thought that they could benefit from her experience.

After she and her husband dissolved their business, Sandra went to work for Aircare Colorado. She retired in 2012. After the death of her husband in 2014, Sandra relocated to Oklahoma to be near her daughter, granddaughter and great-grandchildren.

Sandra was a Past Matron of Evergreen Chapter #3, Order of the Eastern Star. Sandra enjoyed singing, Bible study, listening to music and spending time with her family. Her Heavenly Father called her home on Monday December 23, 2019.

Sandra Leona Lyons-Pickford was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Dr. Sandy L. Lyons and Mrs. Elzena N. Lyons, and her husband, Andrew. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter: Eunice (Michael) Owens of Moore, OK; sons: Henry Lee Vincent Pickford of Langston, Ok and Leon Christopher Todd Pickford of Denver, CO; granddaughters: Aletha Hill of Norman, OK, Katrina Mossman of Angel Fire, New Mexico; and great grandchildren: Blair Hill-Howard of Oklahoma City, OK, Sienna and Seija Segura of Norman, OK; sister: Verona Lyons-Reddic of Denver, CO; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and other family members.