Obituary published by Bond Memorial Chapel – Mount Juliet from Mar. 12 to Mar. 13, 2025.
Sandra Faye (Gunn) Carter of Old Hickory, TN went to be with her Savior on March 7th, 2025. She was a beloved wife, mother, Nana and friend.
She was born to Calvin H. and Mary DeLois (Hazel) Gunn on 12/02/1942 in Anniston, Alabama. She graduated from Anniston High School Class of 1961 and then went on to earn an Associate’s degree from Alverson-Draughon Business College in Birmingham, Alabama. She worked as a Key Punch Operator at Baggett Transportation Company and Alabama Power Company.
In 1967 she married 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Ralph Louis Carter of Anniston, AL and they moved to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina where they had their first child, Rhonda. In 1970 they left the US Army and moved to Knoxville, TN for one year, then onto Nashville TN. They bought a home in Old Hickory, TN and welcomed their second child, Janet in 1973. Sandra became a homemaker, a role she treasured, until 1985 when she joined the United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) in downtown Nashville as an Administrative Assistant in the Children’s Publishing Division. After 24 years at UMPH, she retired in 2009.
Sandra had a passion for singing and music, using those skills in churches over her lifetime by singing in choirs and playing the organ and piano for her home churches. From the age of 13 to 18 she played in her hometown church, Pine Avenue Baptist Church, then 16 years at Green Hill (Baptist) Church in Mt. Juliet, TN. After she retired, she played 5 years for Barton’s Creek in Lebanon, TN then at Cloyd’s Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Mt. Juliet, TN. She also would play at nursing homes as part of a ministry.
In addition to music, her hobbies included being an avid Auburn football fan despite being married to an avid Alabama fan. She loved all football, high school, college and pro. Other hobbies were gardening, playing bridge, and spending time with friends and family. She loved babies and children especially, always snuggling them close. She loved traveling to Colorado when her daughter lived there, and other travels around the country. She loved Boston Terrier Bulldogs, having grown up with them as a child, then passing that love of Boston’s to her own children and grandchildren. Even though she was a small woman, she could fill a room with her presence and laughter. She could be fierce and tender with the same tenacity. Above all, she cherished God, her church, her family and friends with zeal. She was wise, always providing sound advice to colleagues, friends and family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin (65) and Lois (79) and her sister Anita Lurline Gunn (age 8). Sandra is survived by her husband of 57 years, Ralph Louis Carter; daughters Janet Talbert and Rhonda Decker (Rodney); four grandchildren: Nicole Grishom, Kaycie Vanzant (Joshua), Evan Talbert, Brittany Wynn; eight great grandchildren: Aiden and Braylon Vanzant, Dalton Decker, Jimmy Wynn, Khloe Virge, Oliver, Rosalie and Wallen Duke.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 13, 2025, 10.am. to 12p.m. Funeral Service at noon with interment to follow at Middle TN Veterans Cemetery in Nashville, TN.
Arrangements by Bond Memorial Chapel, 1098 Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN. (615) 773-2663, www.bondmemorial.com
This obituary was published by Bond Memorial Chapel.
Obituaries provided free for the community.
This obituary was published by Obituaries provided free for the community.
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