Sandra Burns

Sandra Burns left this world on November 3, 2024, after a life lived to the fullest. She was born in Seminole, Oklahoma on July 30, 1936. Upon marrying Harold Brown, she moved to Casper, Wyoming where she lived for eighteen years. Sandra returned to Oklahoma and, while raising three children, completed both her undergraduate and Juris Doctorate degrees at the University of Oklahoma, at a time when few women attended law school and were admitted to the bar. Following her law school graduation, she worked as legal counsel for Southwestern Bell in Little Rock.

In 1981, she married Larry Burns, moved to Jonesboro, and began what she described as the happiest period of her life. After a brief stint in private practice, she began teaching at Arkansas State University. Sandra loved teaching and especially enjoyed working with non-traditional students. She was very active in community affairs. She was a Board member and served as Chair for both The Foundation of Arts and The Jonesboro Library Board, participated in Twentieth Century Club, United Way, PEO, and the Community Foundation, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club.

Sandra was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Jonesboro, serving on the Missions and Service Committee, as an intrepid usher, enthusiastic member of Wine, Women and the Word, and as a Deacon of the church.

Sandra loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends. She traveled extensively, but especially enjoyed going to Greer's Ferry Lake and taking people out on the world’s largest pontoon boat for a relaxing day on the water. She loved to play bridge, dance, and entertain guests in her home where she was the life of party. With her love of life and quick wit, Sandra was always a bright light in the world. Her life was an inspiration to her family and many others, and the world is less colorful without her.

She is survived by her sister, Glenda Morgan; her sons, Steven and Ron Brown; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Neil Montgomery; stepdaughter and husband, Elaine and Pedro Moctezuma; stepson, Joe Burns; ten grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.