Sandra Diann Housley

Sandra Diann ‘Sandy’ Spires Housley, age 74, of Knoxville, Tennessee, and formerly of Brunswick, Georgia, passed away on October 21, 2024, at Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, Georgia, after a brief illness, with her beloved daughter, brother, and immediate family by her side.

Sandy was born on Tuesday, December 27, 1949, as a surviving twin to Mr. Flournoy and Mrs. Bertha Handcock Spires.

Sandy grew up in Brunswick, Georgia, graduated from Glynn Academy High School, and went on to work at a very young age, working throughout all of the eateries in Brunswick, Georgia, for many years.  After having her children, she moved to Knoxville in 1981, where she met E.G. Sharp and was his companion for 22 years until his passing in 2004.

Then, in 2008, she met and married her sweetheart and the love of her life, Jeffrey L. Housley, Sr.  They married on July 29, 2009, and their years together were some of the best years of her life, until his passing on April 9, 2016.

Sandra is preceded in death by her sweetheart, Jeffrey L. Housley, Sr., her father, Flournoy Spires, her mother, Bertha ‘Sparkey’ Handcock Spires, and twin brother David Dan Spires, as well as her sisters, Audrie Spires Lowe, Shirley Spires Drake, Essie Spires O’Connor, Mary Jo Spires Johnson, and her brother, Darryl Spires.

She leaves to cherish her love and memories her surviving family and only daughter, Marjorie Sharay Henderson, son-in-law Cannan Henderson, sons, John ‘Freddy’ Symons, Jr., and Thomas Kirk Symons, as well as her close grandchildren, Kaitlin her ‘Angel Baby’ Johnson, Sidneay M. Johnson and fiancé Hayden Omary, and grandson Alex Henderson.  She is also survived by her brother, Norman ‘Buddy’ Spires and his wife Myra, as well as her niece Denise Howard of Georgia, and many nieces and nephews, as well as extended family.  She also leaves behind many close friends and customers.

May you rest in peace now, Momma, and be happy and reunited with your sweetheart, Jeff, as well as your parents and all of your sisters.  Until we meet again, I will always love and miss you mostest, my old goat.  Love always and forever, Your Heifer.

A private graveside service for Sandra’s family will be held at a later date at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick, Georgia.