Sandra Dean Spence's Obituary
Sandra Dean Spence, 71 of Unionville, Missouri passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville, with her mother by her side.
Sandy was born to Robert Dean & Wanda Charlene (Brown) Spence in Unionville, Missouri on October 10, 1953. She received her education from Putnam County R-I Schools, graduating in 1971. After high school, Sandy continued her education at Cosmetology School in Kirksville, MO. She later changed careers and spent time as a 9-1-1 emergency dispatcher for Centerville Police Department and Appanoose County Sheriff's Office, then Chillicothe, MO and also at Fairfield, Iowa for the State of Iowa. Sandy ventured over to Indian Hills as a secretary in the main office at the Centerville campus, which then turned into beginning her schooling to be a nurse. She finished Indian Hills as a Registered Nurse and later became an R.N.C. She was first employed as a nurse by the Veterans Hospital in Knoxville, Iowa for around 12 years before working at many area hospitals in Iowa and Missouri. She always picked the night shifts and holidays to work. Sandy also worked as a Home Health Nurse, which was one of the most rewarding jobs she held.
Sandy enjoyed going on the truck with her Dad, whether that was riding or driving since she had her CDL as well. She loved her black cars and always kept them clean. Sandy was a big fan of Montgomery Gentry and traveled around to watch them perform numerous times over the years. Sandy enjoyed fishing, riding horses and later being around or watching her nephews and nieces ride horses. Original Aunt Sandy duties included baking birthday cakes for Charlie and Mary Jayne when they were little. The next generation of nephews had a dedicated cowtown toy closet at Aunt Sandy's house. Having fun with her friends was extremely important to her. Those friends were all like family and most of those mischievous stories do not or have not been repeated, but they all had a good time together. Sandy made the trip west to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo more than once, and absolutely loved it. It was the perfect vacation for someone who loved to watch rodeo and have a good time. She was also a member of the First Christian Church of Unionville
Survivors include her mother, Wanda Spence; sister, Sharon Maddaleno (Mark); niece, Mary Jayne Simmons; nephews, Charles Robert Simmons (Kris), John Robert Maddaleno (Mechelia), Trey Andrew Maddaleno; great nieces/nephews, Jake, Jared(Breann), Chase and Lea Simmons, and Callysta Wells; and a great great nephew, Walker Simmons.
She was preceded in death by her father; and grandparents, Stanley and Lola Brown, and Johnnie and Helen Spence.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, December 6, 2024 at Thomas Funeral Home in Unionville. Burial will follow at the Unionville Cemetery. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service from 10-11:00 am. Memorials may be given to either Putnam County Care Center or the PC Café & Resource Center and can be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Spence Family, 709 27th Street, Unionville, Missouri 63565. Condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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