Sandra Mahaffey Obituary

KINGSPORT - With deep sorrow and hearts full of love, we mourn the passing of Sandra Faye Mahaffey, 79, of Kingsport, Tennessee, formerly of Welch, West Virginia. Sandra left her cognitive difficulties and bodily pain behind to be with God the Father and Jesus the Son on Friday, December 29, 2023. While Sandra will be missed dearly by all who knew her, she would want all to know that she was prepared and eager to meet her Lord and Savior. Sandra had run her race and has now entered her time of rest.

Sandra was born in Welch, West Virginia, on March 9, 1944. She was a "middle" daughter of Ernest Grimes and Martha Hardwick, belonging to a large family with three (3) brothers and four (4) sisters. Sandra married young without completing her formal education. After raising her sons, she accomplished her personal goal of attaining her GED. Sandra went on to be a combination social worker, welfare worker, and healthcare provider in Wilco, WV. From there, she became a school secretary, a store owner, a restaurant owner, and frozen yogurt connoisseur. She was an ardent and gifted artist who leaves behind numerous lovely mementos of herself for her loved ones via her own artwork. Her most treasured work was as a Godly wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and yard sale expert. After retirement, she enjoyed her work with the church and time with her family.

Sandra's adult life usually revolved around young people, and her impact on the communities of Welch, WV, and Kingsport, TN, will be remembered. She was an avid cheerleader for her sons and grandchildren, a professional concession-stand worker and fundraiser, and volunteer for any and all things involving children. She was a lifelong lover of baseball, softball, and¬–to a certain extent–golf, never missing an opportunity to watch her sons compete.

Sandra married the love of her life, Larry Franklin Mahaffey, on June 11, 1961. They made a commitment to God and each other to be husband and wife. Everything they did in life revolved around their shared hope and faith in Jesus the Christ. They were married for 59 years, until his passing in 2021, and they raised three children together.

Sandra is preceded in death by her mother, Martha Hardwick, her father, Ernest Grimes, three (3) brothers: Jimmy, Jack, and Jerry; and three (3) sisters: Helen, Jean, and Pat.

Sandra is survived by her children: Larry (Margie) Mahaffey of Charlotte, NC, Bryan (Dorothy) Mahaffey of Chapmanville, WV, and Paul (Dixie) Mahaffey of Kingsport, TN; her grandchildren: Joshua (Lauren) Mahaffey, Christopher (Samantha) Mahaffey, Meagan (Seth) Baisden, Evan (Sydney) Mahaffey, Susan (Caleb) Peterson, and Natalie Mahaffey; her great-grandchildren: Olivia Baisden, Melody Mahaffey, Madelyn Baisden, and Jacob Baisden; her sister Judy (Gary) Winchester; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; a very special sister-in-law and life-long best friend Pat (David) Hargrave; a very special Aunt-in-Law Madge Mahaffey; and three bonus grandchildren: Jacob, Brianna and Heartlie Helvey.

A Celebration of Life service for Sandra will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at East Lawn Funeral Home in Kingsport, TN. Visitation will begin at 4:00 pm, and funeral services will begin at 6:00 pm. Graveside services will be on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 12:00 pm at Roselawn Cemetery in Princeton, WV.

Pallbearers will be her sons and grandsons: Larry, Bryan, Paul, Joshua, Christopher, and Evan Mahaffey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Indian Springs Christian Church, 5536 Kiowa St., Kingsport, TN 37664.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Brookdale Colonial Heights Memory Care for their years of loving care for Sandra, the staff at East Lawn Funeral Home for their services, and Mike Beverly of Indian Springs Christian Church.

EAST LAWN FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.