Biography: Sandra “Sandy” Seale Turner, of Little Rock, passed away peacefully the morning of December 2, 2009, after returning from a joyful Thanksgiving with family and friends in her childhood home of Batesville, Mississippi. Despite the many challenges of living with a spinal cord injury sustained in a car accident in 1994, and more recently, a courageous battle with breast cancer, Sandy never lost her love of life or for her Lord. A loving daughter, niece and cousin, an adoring mother and a generous friend, she brought love, laughter and joy into the lives of all who were lucky enough to have known her. From book clubs to bridge groups and Bible studies, Sandy’s warmth and friendship cast a wide net. A proud sister of Delta Gamma Sorority and graduate of Ole Miss, Sandy had many accomplishments of which she was rightfully proud, including bringing her style and good taste to the public as a buyer for a Memphis department store and later after her marriage and move to Little Rock, helping to create and operate the KATV consumer hotline “Seven on Your Side” where she mentored and befriended countless young Junior League of Little Rock members. Sandy was synonymous with “style” and was well dressed for every event, wearing nearly every color to advantage. She had a long list of friends eager to take her to any party, lecture or program where her beautiful clothes and more beautiful smile could outshine everyone around her. As a friend she was unparalleled in her loyalty, affection and concern, never missing a birth or forgetting a birthday and providing valuable perspective and insight whenever it was needed. This past weekend, Sandy enjoyed a tea at Trapnall Hall with her beautiful and beloved daughter Withers and many friends, where she was as stylish and entertaining as ever. Sandy is survived by her daughter, Jane Withers Turner of New York City, New York; a step-daughter, Mary Frances Isakov of Saverna Park, Maryland; her parents, Billy and Jane Seale of Batesville, Mississippi; Brothers, Brent Seale of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Forrest Seale of San Antonio, Texas; aunts and uncles, Harvey and Georgia Seale of Batesville, Mississippi, Polly Gilmer of Hernando, Mississippi and Frances Seale of Batesville, Mississippi; double first cousins, Georgeanne Seale Smith (Johnny) of Greenwood, Mississippi and Pat Seale Neely (Ralph, Jr.) of Memphis, Tennessee; and her devoted and loving caregivers, Alice, Bobbie, Dave, Gladys, Gent, Julia and Sheila. She was preceded in death by her double first cousin Jim Seale of Merigold, Mississippi. Visitation will be at Ruebel Funeral Home on Friday, December 4, 2009 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. followed by a graveside service at Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville, Mississippi on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Arrangements under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com Memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205, James W. Davis Scholarship In Accountancy, c/o University of Mississippi Foundation, University, Mississippi 38677 and Arkansas Spinal Cord Foundation, 1501 N. University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72207.
"Dear Mommy,
I awake each morning to start a new day
But the pain of loosing you never goes away.
I go about the things that I have to do
And as the hours pass I think again of you.
I want to call you and just hear your voice
But then I remember that I have no choice.
For you are not there & now my heart cries
Just to see you again to tell you goodbye.
To say Mommy I love you and I always will
And hope that much of you, in me you've instilled.
The day that you left I just didn't know
That you were going where I couldn't go.
And now all my memories of you are so dear
But oh, how I miss you and wish you were here.
Who now can hear me when I need to cry?
It so hard to tell you Mommy goodbye.
Someday I know that all will be well
And I'll see you again with stories to tell.
Of how you were missed and how I have grown
And how good it is to finally be home.
Until then my memories of you I'll keep near
And I'll pass them on to those who are dear."
Mommy, you were my everything. You were my hero, my inspiration and most importantly you were my best friend. I miss you more and more everyday that goes by. I know that now you are my angel, but life just isn't the same without you here by my side. My heart is so empty now that you're gone. I hope that you're happy and I pray that you are no longer in pain. I love you more than anything in the whole entire world and I always will...
Love,
Withers