Sandra Virginia Dollarhide, began her life's journey, Saturday, August 21, 1943 at Des Arc, Arkansas. She was the oldest of three children born to the late William T. Alford and the late Laura King Alford. At the age of six her family moved to Mishawaka, Indiana to live. Upon graduation from Mishawaka High School in 1961, Sandy returned to Little Rock, to attend Baptist School of Nursing. After graduation, she began working at the Baptist Hospital where she would remain for the next 49 years.

Working as a nurse was a very satisfying and rewarding job for Sandy. When she first began working, she was the only RN on her floor. As time went by, she was a Clinical Nurse Educator and in later years, when everything was changed over to computers, she was a Clinical Information Specialist.

During those early years, one of the LPN's was a handsome young man named Pat Dollarhide, Jr. It wasn't long before he won the love of the beautiful Sandy and on Friday, December 8, 1967, they were united in marriage at Little Rock. Over the years their marriage was blessed with two children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Blessed with a sweet and giving personality, Sandy was always there to lend a helping hand. Whether it was taking a grandchild to ball practice, buying someone groceries, taking them to the doctor office, they could always depend on Sandy. The family knew they had better "toe the line" because if they didn't Sandy would let them know about it.

An awesome cook, at holiday time and on special occasions Sandy, would prepare wonderful meals featuring everybody's favorite dishes. During the summertime the family looked forward to going to her home for a great meal that would end with a bucket of homemade ice cream.

The family was the central point of her life. "Mimi" kept a calendar of coming events that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would be in and never missed one. Everyone, including her nieces and nephews and their children, always received birthday cards with money tucked in. After her parents died, she became like a grandmother to the nieces and nephews, who lovingly called her "Aunt Sandy"

With an optimistic outlook on life, Sandy bravely overcame different types of cancer on three different occasions. Because of this, she participated in every cancer benefit and activity that came along.

Sandy kept in contact with some of her fellow workers and loved going out to eat on special occasion with them. Every time she would go to the doctor's office, she would have to stop at her favorite restaurant to eat an Angus Burger. In her leisure time she like to watch soap operas, Hallmark movies, was an avid reader, collected Elvis's memorabilia and enjoyed listening to Elvis's music.

On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center at Nashville, Tennessee, Sandy passed from this life at the age of 78. For the past four years she had lived with an Lvad Heart pump which had extended her life expediency.  Her loving and giving spirit has left an imprint on all who knew and loved her and she will be sadly missed.

Sandy is survived by her children

Chris Dollarhide and wife Christine of Sherwood;

Daughter, Shannon Roberts and husband David of Jacksonville

Four grandchildren

Zach Roberts, Laura Oswald, Dawson Roberts and Austin Soulsby

Three great-grandchildren

Addison and Ariella Roberts and Reese Oswald

Two brothers, Ronald Alford of Mishawaka, IN

Bill Alford of South Bend, IN.

The family will gather at the Garth Funeral Home Chapel in Des Arc Monday evening from 6 until 8pm to visit with family and friends.

A Celebration of Life Services is at11:00 am Tuesday August 2, at the funeral home chapel.

Burial will follow at the Lakeside Cemetery at Des Arc.