Family

Sandy was born in Fredericksburg, VA, but her father was a minister and pastored different churches as she was growing up. She lived in Indiana, Ohio, and Alabama before marrying her husband, Melvin. She comes from a large family with four sisters and four brothers, and as the second oldest, she learned early how to be the “second mother” to her siblings! Music and church and family fun are some of her favorite memories from her childhood. Sandy lost her oldest brother, Jimmy, to kidney cancer, but she and her remaining seven siblings and her parents remain very close and talk every day on MARCO to stay in touch and share their lives with each other.

Sandy and her husband, Melvin, have six grown-married children and 22 grandchildren. They have four boys and two girls. Three sons pastor churches, and one is a U.S. Marine and now a state senator. Both daughters are busy moms and are involved in their communities. They are blessed with four wonderful daughters-in-law and two great sons-in-law.

Her family and her faith are the two things she cherishes the most.

Professional Life

After having her 4th child, Sandy was accepted into the nursing program at Indian River Community College and graduated in 1991. In 1992, she and her husband and family moved to Ukraine as missionaries to begin eight years of service to the people there.  She worked with humanitarian organizations and local hospitals to assist with training and use of medical equipment as well as translation of directions for the proper use of pharmaceuticals being donated.  She also helped outlying villages by administering minor first aid and getting help for those in more serious conditions.  For example, she helped a woman receive treatment from surgeons in Houston, TX, for massive injuries she sustained after being thrown out of a sixth-story window by her drunken husband. She had not been given the proper treatment in Ukraine needed to help her walk again, and she struggled with daily tasks and the care of her two small children. The surgeons in TX were able to perform life-changing surgeries for this lady who is still walking and thriving today. 

Sandy has worked as a nurse for 30-plus years.  Starting in 2008, Sandy became more involved in politics to elect constitutional conservative leaders.  From 2021-2024, Sandy worked for a congressman as District Director. While working for Congress for the past four years and seeing the abuse being perpetrated on the American people, Sandy felt compelled to write Government: Servant or Master?  She hopes to be a catalyst for change in this country to help educate the citizens and the members of Congress to act so that our Constitutional Republic can remain intact and Americans can remain free. 

Hobbies

Music - Sandy grew up listening to her mother playing the piano, organ, and accordion, and her dad playing the guitar.  Her mom always made music fun, and many days as a young child, she remembers dancing with her siblings around the living room coffee table while her mom played a lively tune on the piano.  Her Dad taught them to sing harmony, and her older brother and younger sister made their first recording in their early teens, with their amazingly talented ten-year-old sister accompanying them on the piano.  The love of music was instilled early, and she has passed it down to her children as she taught them to sing around the piano.  She is a part of her local church band and still enjoys playing most evenings to unwind from a long day. 

Travel - While living in Ukraine, Sandy and her family traveled to many European countries and experienced different cultures. She gained a love and appreciation for travel and loves to travel every chance she gets. She is a lover of history and enjoys learning from the past. She loves to visit museums and places from another time and place to remind her of a simpler life and the importance of knowing where we’ve come from.

Home - Home is her favorite place, but it is even more special when her children, grandchildren, or other extended family and friends sit around the table enjoying one of her home-cooked meals.  She loves to decorate, especially for the holidays.  She loves a cup of coffee by the fireplace with her husband or one of her children or friends.  While she enjoys each season, Fall is her favorite time of year.