Sandra Gail (Creighton) Gaddy

Sandi was born Sandra Gail Creighton on August 24, 1973 in Milford, Massachusetts. She was the third child of Roger and Carol Creighton. Her father was in the United States Navy which afforded the family the opportunity to move frequently during her young childhood, living in Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina and even overseas in Edzell, Scotland. When Sandi was 10 her father retired from the Navy and moved to the small town of Rolla, Missouri. Sandi attended school in Rolla where she became very active in school activities including cheerleading, drama, the school newspaper, the yearbook, and many clubs and activities. She graduated from Rolla High School in 1991 and then attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. She pursued her teaching degree with the zeal with which she approached everything in her life. She married her high school sweetheart Michael on July 10, 1993 and graduated from college in May of 1995. She began her teaching career in Chadwick, Missouri and within a few short years began teaching at Rogersville Middle school where she was employed until her death. She and Michael had two beautiful children, Logan and Lauren, who will miss her terribly but will be able to know that their mother was loved and appreciated by many people.

Four years ago Sandi was diagnosed with Colon Cancer at the age of 29. She approached her illness as she approached everything in her life, with determination. She was positive she would beat the cancer that was such a shock and nine months later the Doctors thought she had. Unfortunately just three months later when she attended her checkup they determined that it had returned. She fought with every fiber of her being three times in three years to beat this horrible disease and continued to fight until her last breath just over four years after her original diagnosis.

Sandi was very active in the Ozark United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school, played in the bell choir and helped with the Upward basketball program. Throughout the struggles with her illness Sandi never blamed God; in fact He strengthened her faith and gave her the courage to continue fighting. She believed that God held her up and helped her fight. Her faith never wavered and in true Sandi fashion, she led the way, showing her family and friends what true faith in God was.

Sandi lost her battle with cancer on Sunday, June 3, 2007. She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, and infant brother. She is survived by her Husband and two children. Her parents, her mother-in-law Carol Gaddy, her father-in-law Gene Gaddy and his wife Sarah, her sister Kristi Hicks and husband Kevin and their children Katie, Megan and Abigail, her sister-in-law Kelly Jo Goforth and husband Ben and their daughters Emily and Hannah, and friends too numerous to name.

Sandi will be missed by many but forgotten by none. We will keep her in our hearts and minds and take comfort in knowing that she is finally healed and in Heaven with her Savior, Jesus Christ.