Mrs. Sandra Diane Brown, 72 Woodbury TN passed away on July 16, 2025, at her home in Woodbury TN surrounded by her family and best friend. She was born in Murfreesboro TN on April 20, 1953. She was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Spence, her grandmother, Grace Spence Lovvorn, and by an infant baby sister.
She is survived by her sons, Danny Ivie and Donnie (Tammy) Ivie both of Woodbury, three granddaughters, Brittani Ivie, Heather Ivie and Emily Ivie, five great grandchildren, Jeremy Earls, Blazely Kennedy, Danny Kennedy, Hena Kennedy, and Benjamin Wallace, her best friend who was like a daughter, Brenda trail, and her best little fur buddy, Foley.
Life dealt Sandra a hard blow early in her life. Her mother died when she was very young, and she lost her only sibling as an infant too. God was gracious though and provided another, loving figure to step in and fill the role of mother for her. It was her grandmother, Grace. They loved one another just like a mother and daughter and carried on as best they could through the heartache.
She attended McFadden Elementary and Central High School in Murfreesboro. Sandra’s big heart and giving spirit allowed her to love with her full being. It also, lead her to fall in love, sometimes, with the wrong man. Cupid struck more than once with Sandra, and when it didn’t work out, she still kept her hopes up of finding Mr. Right. Sandra was always an attractive lady and kept herself looking nice. She enjoyed getting dressed up, whether it was to go to work or to go out on the town.
Even though her soul mate never materialized, she used her full heart to love and care for her sons. She wasn’t one to sit idle and made sure to take the lead in being the bread winner of the household. They enjoyed going to Gatlinburg for a getaway. Danny and Donnie also had fond memories of the times they got to go to Opryland and Beech Bend Park growing up. Sandra enjoyed spending time with them and her grandchildren every opportunity she had. They would often head out to Percy Priest Lake to go camping on one of the numerous islands. She would cast a line in the water to see what was biting. Danny had a pontoon boat that they loved to cruise the lake on.
She worked at several jobs through the years, but one of her favorites were Heilig Myers Furniture Store working in the office. One of the reasons she enjoyed it was because she got to dress up for work. She also managed a local tobacco store for quite a few years and was proud of her role there. As she got older, getting out and about wasn’t on the top of her to do list. She enjoyed the simpler things in life. Being a homebody, finding new recipes to cook and baking cakes. God blessed her with a green thumb, and she put it to good use. Her house was filled with beautiful plants. She loved every kind of flower too. When she was home, she and Foley would spend the day together. It gave her great comfort to have him by her side. Unfortunately, he was the jealous type and made life hard for any man who came around. So maybe in an unusual way she did find her Mr. Right in Foley.
In 2015, she decided to move out of the hustle and bustle of Murfreesboro to the slower pace of Woodbury. Sandra drew strength from her relationship with God and her church family at Shiloh Baptist Church in Woodbury. It helped ease her mind to know even when the going got tough, God was right there beside her or ready to carry her burdens.
Visitation will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church, 116 Shiloh Church Rd., Woodbury, TN 37190 from 10-2:30 pm on Friday, July 18, 2025. Funeral services will follow at 2:30 in the church. Bobby Nichols will officiate. Interment will be with other beloved family members at Whitworth Cemetery 9414 New Zion Rd. Christiana, Tennessee. Share memories and condolences with the family at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337. Because every life has a story.
Shiloh Baptist Church
Shiloh Baptist Church
Whitworth Cemetery
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