Sandra “Sandy” Roberta Shearer, daughter of Bob and Wilma Rector was born Oct. 12, 1944, in Kirksville, Missouri. She passed from this earth Aug. 29, 2024, of kidney and lung failure.
She attended public school in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1962. She then attended Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State University) where she met her husband of 61 years, Richard “Dick” Shearer.
At 18, she began her career as a telephone operator for AT&T. During this time, Richard and Sandy moved to Chillicothe, Hannibal, and ultimately, Springfield, Missouri. With each move, she learned new skills and earned multiple promotions. She worked for the telephone company for 27 years before retiring early in 1991. Never one to remain idle, she reinvented herself by obtaining a real estate license, enjoying a successful second career for over 30 years.
She leaves behind her husband, Dick; her son Lee, daughter-in-law Julie; and two fun-loving grandchildren, Sydney and Brooke. She was very proud of her grandchildren and loved them very much. She is also survived by two sisters, Pamala Chernik of Phoenix, Arizona, and Janice Leyh of Kansas City, Missouri.
Sandy will be deeply missed. She was one of the unsung heroes. Her steadfastness, spiciness, and childlike innocence made every moment with her a joy. Her legacy of strength, love, and resilience will forever live on in our hearts. As she wished, she will be cremated with no formal services. The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her honor, to the National Kidney Foundation or the American Lung Association.
Rest in peace, Mom. Your spirit will continue to inspire and guide us every day.