Sandra Kay Brown passed away on Saturday, December 3 leaving a legacy of love and joy to all whose lives she touched. Born to Carl and Catherine Vale on December 25, 1947 (Carl had to use a candle to thaw out the car door locks!), Sandra and her older brother Richard grew up in Tulsa. At an Edison High School football game in the fall of 1965, Sandra met Don Brown. Their bond was immediate-Don helped Sandra cover up her attempt to peek at presents under the Vale Christmas tree in 1965, when she overturned her family's flocked tree-and they soon followed each other to Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, where Sandra became a Tri-Delt. A few years after their marriage in December 1969, the couple rejoined their families in Tulsa and raised two sons, Spencer and Alex. Sandra and Don were gleefully married for over 41 years, until his death in 2011.

Sandra started her teaching career in St. Louis, Missouri, but once she and Don moved back to Tulsa, she began teaching at Holland Hall, where she educated generations of third and first graders. Sandra's family couldn't eat at a restaurant or shop for groceries without children and families stopping to hug her. Though shy, she welcomed her identity as Mrs. Brown. Whether she was educating students about the Plains tribes, cheerleading cursive writing, or cleaning Go-Gurt from a crying child's uniform shirt, she loved every minute of teaching. Sandra's special affinity for reading and writing and her expertise with ushering reluctant readers into a world of literature buoyed many a student at Holland Hall. She treasured cards and letters from former students, and taught the children of several former pupils.

Sandra will be missed as a loving mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. She was always ready to sew on a missing button, cook her mother's spaghetti, help one of her sons with his homework, drive someone across town for band or sports practice, send a card to an ailing friend or take a plate of brownies to someone who had a lousy day. Once her three grandsons entered the picture, Sandra became Nana, and she doted on her boys. Still, Sandra found time to volunteer at Emergency Infant Services, tutor children through New Hope Oklahoma, and participate in other service organizations and as a faithful member of the St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church community.

Sandra died peacefully shortly after a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. She is survived by her two sons and their loving families: Spencer Brown, wife SoRelle, and their son, Julian (Atlanta, GA); Alex Brown, wife Shelley, and their sons Jacob and Hudson (Broken Arrow, OK); and her brother, Richard Vale, wife Nancy, and their daughter Jennifer (Tulsa, OK). To honor Sandra and share her legacy, donations may be sent to Emergency Infant Services. A memorial service will be held at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church on Saturday, January 21 at 2:00 pm. Attendees are asked to wear a touch of green (for Edison High School), red (for Drury College and Holland Hall), or both colors, since Sandra was a Christmas baby.