Sandra Easley Worley Strange
September 1, 1937 - January 29, 2025
Sandra Easley Worley Strange passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on January 29, 2025, at the age of 87.
In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
John 14:2-6 NKJV
Sandra was a shining example of faith and love. Her gentle spirit and positive outlook will be deeply missed by all who knew her. We find comfort in knowing that she is now embraced by the loving presence of our Lord.
Born in Roanoke, Virginia, on September 1, 1937, to Mary Anna Martin and George Lanier Easley, Sandra spent most of her childhood in Chatham, Virginia, where she cherished time with her three sisters, Mary, Patricia, and Dorothy, and later, her two younger brothers, George and James. An avid reader of children's classics, she was also involved in the local church and school. Sandra cherished the Chatham community throughout her life. After graduating from Chatham High School, Sandra embarked on a remarkable 63-year nursing career, a testament to her compassionate and servant-hearted nature.
Sandra and Billy Anderson Worley were married in 1960 and raised two daughters, Susan (spouse: Richard Ekhoff) and Sandy (spouse: Hedrick Davidson). The couple primarily resided in Danville, VA, but spent five years in Atlanta, Georgia, where Bill earned his Master of Divinity degree at Emory University, and Sandra worked as a nurse at Emory University Hospital. After Bill's passing in 1972, Sandra and her daughters returned to Danville. There, she built a home on Tamworth Drive, where she hosted family and friends for gatherings and Bible studies. During this time, Sandra also became an active member of the Women's Aglow Fellowship, forming lifelong friendships.
In 1997, Sandra married Rice Gwen Strange of Pelham, North Carolina. She deeply cherished her time at the Strange family log cabin, which became a beloved retreat for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many friends. Both Sandra and Rice were active members of First Presbyterian Church in Danville, VA, and enjoyed a small lake home at Smith Mountain Lake. At this time, Sandra became involved in a non-denominational renewal movement called the Walk to Emmaus, where she joyfully served for many years. Sandra also embraced new interests like basket weaving and earning her pilot's license!
After Rice's passing in 2003, Sandra continued her legacy of hospitality and faith by purchasing a large century-old home in Danville, Virginia. This home quickly became a central gathering place for church meetings, Aglow International gatherings, family celebrations, retreats, and casual visits on the front porch. Sandra also found great joy in mentoring young women.
In 2020, Sandra relocated to Tulsa, OK, where she resided on her daughter Susan's family property. She invested her life in her new church, Kingdom Rain International, and continued her tradition of opening her home for various gatherings. Sandra also found inspiration and encouragement by attending a weekly Bible study called MyTribe.
Sandra's daughters, Susan and Sandy; her stepchildren, Ann and Rice; her grandchildren, David, Rebekah, Allison, Rachel, Sarah, Daniel, Benjamin, Hannah, Lydia, Mary, Samuel, Julia, John, Kim, Sarah, and Brent; and her great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Danny, Evelyn, Lilly, Adney, Graham, Archer, Emmah, Lainey, Eleanor, James, Charlotte, Amelia, Katherine, and Margaret, brought immeasurable joy to her life, just as she did to theirs.
Sandra will be remembered for her warm hospitality, constant encouragement to "choose joy!" and ability to make everyone feel welcome. She always went the extra mile for her guests, whether cooking a delicious Southern breakfast or ensuring they had a comfortable bed with crisp, clean “hospital corner” sheets. Her dining room table could accommodate any number of guests, and she cherished watching movies with her grandchildren. Sandra's chicken salad was legendary. Despite living with a heart condition for over twenty years, she remained a mentor and source of strength to all who knew her.
Sandra's spiritual journey is beautifully shared in her 2016 book, The Lamp, Be Aglow and Burning with the Spirit, which contains eighteen vignettes highlighting her most important life lessons, and a YouVersion Bible plan called Wisdom Date which features some of her encouraging testimony.
A Celebration of Life will be held on February 3, at 2:00 PM, at 9024 E. 101st St., Tulsa, OK 74133 (the Ekhoff family property). Please feel free to dress casually.
Additionally, a graveside service will be held on February 22, at 2:00 PM, at Highland Park Cemetery in Danville, Virginia, at the Worley family gravesite. Please enter the cemetery through the North Main Rock Column entrance, located across from Carter Bank.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sandra's memory may be made to her beloved church Kingdom Rain International, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
She was so sweet, and I love her so much! I called her my Sandy Dandy or Sandy Dandelion. Her testimony is so inspiring and lives on to share the love of Jesus with others. - Amy Willis
Sandra possessed the kindest, most forgiving heart. Fly high sweet lady, you are loved. - Debra Merricks
Every word you have written about Sandra is so true. Sandra was a true friend and very dear to me. Over the past 50 years, I have been the recipient many times of Sandra’s love, encouragement, words of wisdom, good food, hospitality, movie nights, Aglow gatherings, prayers and the joy of the Lord that always characterized her every word and embrace. I will greatly miss her. Sandra’s love for her family was a shining example to me of how to love my family. I will always love Sandra Strange and thank God for every remembrance of her. - Janice Stocks
So sorry to hear this. Sandra was my Lay Director when I went on “My Walk to Emmaus” in 1998. She was an inspiration! Prayers for the family as they celebrate her life. - Genia Walker
I was a part of a weekly Bible study group in Danville, VA, taught by Ann Cook. It was a sweet time and great teaching. We had a time when we shared our testimonies with the group and when Ann shared hers, to all of our surprise, it was then that both Ann and Sandra realized that they had been at the same Aglow meeting and that it was Sandra that had prayed for Ann to receive the spirit! We had a good and joyous laugh about how God works. Now both Ann and Sandra are in the presence of God, rejoicing together again. I loved Sandra. - Trudy Glasscock
Our friendship goes back 50 years, wonderful years of sharing hopes and struggles and joy. How blessed I was to share a very special weekend with her in Tulsa last April. Her hospitality and deep love of the Lord showed in every moment we shared. God bless her family that loved her so. - Karen Poteet
Sandra and I graduated from Chatham High School in 1955. We went separate ways until I received an invitation to the 50th class reunion to be held at Sandra’s home in Danville, Va. I was living in Michigan and unable to attend, but because I responded with some “class memories “, I received letters from classmates who were in attendance. I felt great…almost as if I had gone. Sandra will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. - Patricia McGarvey
I met Ms. Sandy the short time I lived in Danville, Va. She was a special lady very sweet and kind. Her faith was an inspiration. Always willing to take me to church when I needed a ride. My prayers to the family hugs. - Miriam Gonzalez
I knew Sandra for many years as a result of her being a part of Aglow. I always enjoyed seeing her and talking to her at Aglow meetings and Aglow conferences.. I also enjoyed visiting her large home in Danville, VA before she moved away to Tulsa. I had the opportunity to read the book she wrote which was a blessing. I truly enjoyed knowing her as a friend and a co-laborer in the Body of Christ. She will be missed, and my prayers and condolences go out to her family. - Gwen Campbell
Sandra has been and always will be my inspiration for loving God and loving people with my whole heart. I’ve never met anyone like her, but aspire to be just like her. Though I am sad that she’s no longer in my world, I am thrilled for God, Jesus and Holy Spirit who are so happy to have her with them. Sandra, you no longer have to want to see Him face-to-face - I can’t wrap my mind around the joy that you must feel. I’m forever honored to have known her. - Bonnae Buchanan