Sandra Norris Sumpter, aka Sandy Sumpter, age 80, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Sandra was born June 30, 1944, in Rockingham County, North Carolina, the daughter of the marriage of George Thomas Norris and Helen Myers Norris in Rockingham County, North Carolina where she matured as a student athlete, graduating from Madison Mayodan Senior High School in 1962 as the recipient of the "Wittiest Senior Superlative Award," the elected co-captain of the high school basketball team, and an elected officer of several of the high
school academic and civic clubs; who, having matriculated at Western Carolina University, graduated with a Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) Degree to compliment her avocation as an educator in the Cherokee County, North Carolina public schools.
As an aside to her career as a beloved teacher of students in the Murphy Elementary School, she initiated the restoration of the Murphy, North Carolina L&N Depot, being a site of historical significance for many of its residents. Thereafter, she served for twenty years as a Town of Murphy Board Member with a stint as a Town of Murphy, North Carolina ABC Board Member.
As the Oasis Shrine Temple Potentate's Lady, affectionately known as "Possum Queen," she was awarded the 2014 Tinker Bell Distinguished Service Award for her sublime dedication and support of the children served by the Shriners Hospitals For Children which features the Greenville, South Carolina hospital.
She was member of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Masonic Order of the Eastern Star.
As a certified swimming instructor, she tutored numerous students, children and adults, some of whom earned a Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate. She, with other adults, tutored students to compete in the North Carolina Special Olympic swimmer's tournaments, some of whom proudly participated and won competitive events in the State of North Carolina and "world class competition" sponsored in foreign country(s).
Her legacy is that of being a loving and nurturing mother, a superb teacher and mentor of children, a public servant, a community leader, a donor of substantial time and resource to charities, a prolific storyteller, a wise mentor, and a facilitator among her peers.
Survivors include: Husband, W. David Sumpter, III, Daughter, Susan Forsyth Spiegelberg, whose husband is Bryan D. Spiegelberg, Son, William Troy Forsyth, a Son, Thomas M. Sumpter; stepchildren, D. Duncan Sumpter, whose wife is Courtenay S. Sumpter, Allison Reed Smith, whose husband is Jesse J. Smith; and, grandchildren, being Virginia Whitley Sumpter, Megan L. Spiegelberg, Owen W. Spiegelberg, Eli T. Smith, and Adam D. Smith; and, two brothers, George Thomas Norris, Jr. and John Stephen Norris.
A visitation will be held from 11am to 12:30pm on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at First United Methodist Church in Murphy. A memorial service will begin at 12:30pm. A graveside service will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Murphy. Rev. LB Adams and Rev. Wil Posey will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, her preference for charitable donations is the Shriners Hospitals For Children, Oasis Shrine Temple, 549 Doug Mayes Street, Charlotte North Carolina 26256.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at
www.townson-rose.com
