Sandra Kay Alley's Obituary
The world lost an indomitable spirit, infectious charm and giving soul on December 18, 2015, when Sandra Alley departed the earth. Each of her beloved children were by her bedside at her passing, and they, along with everyone whose lives were touched by Sandra, feel the profound and sorrowful void that her absence brings. Sandra began her journey in Wink, Texas, born to parents Helen and George Townley. Her family then relocated to numerous towns across West Texas and California. Eventually, the Townleys put down roots in Pecos, Texas, where Sandra graduated from Pecos High School in 1954. It was also in Pecos that Sandra met Fenton D. Alley, whom she would wed in 1956. Mr. and Mrs. Alley brought Laura, Cynthia and Todd Alley into the world, and Sandra raised them lovingly and tirelessly. As a single mother, Sandra was a caregiver, champion and confidante for her three children. Through thick and thin – and thinnest – she was a hero to them in their tight-knit household growing up, and remains a constant source of inspiration and strength as they go through the world today. Sandra possessed an unquenchable thirst for art, culture, great writing and entrepreneurial spirit. This inspired her to attend Texas Western University (now The University of Texas at El Paso), where she studied Journalism and a breadth of other subjects that further fueled her passion for innovative pursuits. In 1963, she earned a computer programming certification from The Burroughs Corporation and partnered in the launch of a revolutionary computer-based accounting enterprise. She later embarked on a successful decade-long career in publishing for a national trade magazine. And at the time of her passing, Sandra operated her own independent bookkeeping company, as she had for some 20 years. Sandra was preceded in death by two women she loved so dearly: Her mother Helen Yancy and her sister Kathy Hamner. She is survived by daughter Laura Alley; daughter Cynthia Alley and her wife Cynthia Hill; son Todd Alley, his wife Ames Asbell and their son Vaughn Alley; nephew Brandon Hamner; nephew Lane Hamner, his wife Kaci Hamner and their sons Kade Hamner and Kory Hamner. Those who knew Sandra will miss her tremendously. Those who didn’t? Well, pull up a chair. We’re happy to tell you all about her. Memorial services will be held at the Restland Wildwood Chapel in Dallas, TX, on Tuesday, December 29 at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Donate Life Texas.org
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