Sandra Harrison Obituary

Sandra (Sandy) Joan Harrison July 19, 1937- June 30, 2024

ERWIN - Sandra (Sandy) Joan Harrison, age 86, of Erwin, died peacefully June 30, 2024, at the Christian Care Center of Unicoi County.

She was born in Erwin, TN., on July 19, 1937. She was the daughter of the late Ted Harrison and Nelle Brown Harrison.

She was a graduate of Unicoi County High School where she became the first female drum major for the UCHS Marching Band. She was a graduate of Carson-Newman College where she double majored in Chemistry and Biology. Sandra began her teaching career at Menaul Presbyterian Misson School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She went on to teach internationally in Japan for the United States Air Force and Germany for the United States Army before returning to work briefly as a chemist at Nuclear Fuel Services. After attending North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, graduating with a master's in library science, she worked for the N. C. State Library in Raleigh, opened two public libraries for the Cherokee Indian Reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina, and became the librarian at Christ School in Arden, North Carolina.

Sandy was devoted and supportive to her family and friends. She enjoyed fishing, hiking, snow skiing, gardening, astronomy, camping, traveling, and music. We will miss her fun songs around the campfire, her wit, and her smile.

Sandra was preceded in death by her brother, Carl Douglas Harrison, and her nephew, Timothy Douglas Harrison. She is survived by her nephew, Ted Taylor Harrison (Debbie), her niece, Callie Harrison Faircloth (Green), her great-nieces and nephew, and first cousins Carole Ann Hudson, Mac Brown (Mary Katherine), Beth Brown (Tom Clarke), Nancy Weaver, and Betsy Smith (Gil).

Special thanks to the "Sandy Team". This amazing group of family and friends have tirelessly supported Sandra during her end-of-life journey. These angels on Earth include Carole Ann Hudson, Lesli Hudson, Mac and Mary Katherine Brown, Berryll "Berry" Bate, Martha Stromberg, Anita Walker and Callaway Faircloth.

Special thanks to the wonderful caregivers at the Christian Care Center of Unicoi County, Libby and Judy for their compassionate care, and Megan from Cornerstone Care Giving for her tender presence and help during Sandra's final days. The support and knowledge provided by Amedisys Hospice has also been invaluable and greatly appreciated.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Sandy at Erwin Presbyterian Church on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 1:00pm. Visitation will be from 12:30pm until time for the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to the Unicoi County Public Library Foundation in memory of Sandra J. Harrison.