Sandra (Strange) Holzendorf

In a lieu of flowers donations can be made to Heartland Hospice Care, 664 Scranton Rd., Brunswick, GA 31520

Ms. Sandra Elaine Strange Holzendorf, daughter of the late career educators Folia Faye Shields Strange Jenkins and Theodore Roosevelt Strange, was born February 19, 1949 in Amsterdam (Decatur County), Georgia. After a brief battle with cancer she transitioned peacefully from earth to glory, on July 12, 2020 at the Senior Care Center in Brunswick, Georgia surrounded by her God given children, son, Barry and Goddaughter, Gwendolyn.

Sandra was reared in a Christian home under the guidance of her mother and maternal grandmother the late Mrs. Lillian Shields McCree who was president of the Women's Auxiliary of the North Western Baptist Association No.1. Mrs. McCree worked closely with Rev. Mitchell Tate, Pastor of Hill Chapel Baptist Church, Athens, Georgia, and she brought Sandra and her cousin Linda to church with her. They participated in Sunday School, Bible School, the Sunshine band and other church activities, and during that period she accepted Christ as her Savior and joined the Hill Chapel Baptist Church at an early age. The family later moved to the East Athens community, and Sandra joined the East Friendship Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend James Kendricks. She was an active and faithful member of East Friendship until her passing and attended service whenever her visits home allowed. She was a very capable musician and played for the youth choir for many years. When her career necessitated a move to Brunswick, Georgia, she followed the Baptist Church Covenant and united with Zion Baptist Church where she participated in the music ministry, the book club and other ministries.

Sandra received her early education in the Clarke County Schools and was always dressed to the nine, matching outfits in every color from head to toe, and was known for wearing matching long leg boots during her high school years. She graduated from Burney Harris High School in 1966 and began her post­secondary studies at Clarke College (CAU), Atlanta, Georgia where she played in the college's jazz band. She earned the degree of Bachelor of Science at Albany State University, Albany, Georgia, the degree of Master of Education at the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia and the degree of Education Specialist at Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was well prepared to be the excellent educator that her students and colleagues attest to.

She began her excellent teaching career in the Putman County Schools and continued her work in the Walton, Clarke and Camden County School Districts before she found a home in the Glynn County School District. She retired with distinction after working for more than thirty years as an English teacher, and later returned for a few additional years. Her impact on the field of education is captured in the reflections posted by one of her mentees. "Today the world lost a beautiful and precious jewel. When I was hired at Risley Early College Academy years ago, I was given her old classroom. She gave me all of her teaching aids and all the advice I needed. When Dr. Cave kept us over for late meetings, she was the only teacher to offer her house for me to rest and freshen up because she knew I lived far away. She also supported me in Ministry and we shared the same birthday. Ms. Holzendorf was an amazing and beautiful spirit, teacher, and mentor. She was the first to congratulate me and offer well wishes when I became Assistant Principal at Risley last year. I will never forget her laugh and that beautiful smile.” Dr. Rhonda Everett Brown.

In addition to Sandra's contribution to the field of education she was active in the following organizations: Glynn County Association of Educators; Georgia Association of Educators; Volunteer-Atlantic Area Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc (CASA); an active (paid) member of VFW Auxiliary Post 3910; the Brunswick Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, initiated in 1975 during the Athens Alumnae Chapter's inaugural initiation; William West Assembly No. 302- Order of the Golden Circle, Folkston, Georgia; and the Burney Harris High School Class of 1966. She enjoyed traveling, spending time with her family and friends, shopping and serving the community.

She leaves to cherish her memory a loving son, Mr. Barry A. Strange; Goddaughter, Dr. Gwendolyn Atkinson and Family; Cousins, Mr. Clarence (Pearl) Kinney Jr, Mrs. Doris Kinney Hall, Mrs. Algeno Kinney, Mrs. Artie Mae McPhatter, Mrs. Connie Ponder, Mr. Torle LaMont Daniels; "Special friends" Mrs. Shelia Neely Norman and Mrs. Linda Marable Smith; Sister cousins, Ms. Mary A. Lay, Mrs. Grace Lay Ragland, and a devoted special Cousin and Mentor, Mrs. Johnnie Lay Burks.

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