Sandra Lee Owens was born in Goree, Texas on February 21, 1949 to Neil and Roberta Hardeman. Her father, Neil Hardeman (deceased) was the reverend of a small church in Goree and her mother, Roberta (deceased) was a talented seamstress and hair dresser.                           

She was the fifth of seven children which included her brother Wayne (deceased), her brother King (deceased), her sisters Flora (deceased), Willie Jean (living), Maggie (deceased) and Charlene (living).   Early in her childhood, Sandra had adorned the nickname of “Tootsie”. Her parents named her Sandra in honor of her maternal grandfather, Mr. Sandy Bolden. Raised in Knox County, Sandra attended school in Munday and Goree. She ran track and played basketball for the Goree Wildcats. Her kindness and generosity was truly remarkable. She was an extremely devoted and dedicated family provider and she was loved by so many people.

Throughout her tenure in the work place, Mrs. Owens worked extensively as a substitute teacher while residing in California. She also worked decades in the licensed vocational field of nursing and is accredited for her skilled talents in other areas of people activity.   Circa 1974 she met and married Edd Steven Owens (deceased) who was an incredible husband to her as well as an extraordinary father to their children, Mary (Wynell), Rhonda (D’Angelo), Tyrone (Tanya) and Stephanie.

She leaves behind her aforementioned 4 children along with her bonus daughter, Rebecca Tywonne Washington. Mrs. Owens  was blessed with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild.