WALDO FUNERAL HOME

Sandra Kay "Sandy" Gooden

( April 17, 1950 - February 15, 2024 )

Sandra (Sandy) Kay Gooden, April 17, 1950 – February 15, 2024, Sherman, TX

Sandy passed from this earthly life to her eternal life in heaven, at home with her loving husband of 57 years, at her side. Sandy lived a caring and creative life as a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, community volunteer and a gifted organizer and creator of all things for parties from intimate gatherings to formal galas, events, and special occasions.

Sandy attended Sherman Public Schools and Grayson County College. Sandy worked for Haring’s Office Supply where under the tutelage of Milly Haring she learned the finer points of paper party goods, including custom monogramming and printing. Later she would own and operate the Gazebo party store where, using her creative and artistic abilities and attention to detail, she provided her much sought after, custom decorations, invitations, and packaging. She loved providing turnkey large scale party decorating services.

Sandy was a generous giver of her time and talents to the community as an active member of the Sherman Service League, serving as Charity Ball Chairperson, Secretary, VP and President. She had a special place in her heart for the kids in the special education program at Fred Douglass School. In 1984 Sandy along with Carolyn Sewell and Joan Douglass organized and founded the Hospice Auxiliary to help fund and support hospice services in Grayson County. Additionally, Sandy led or Co-led youth group activities for Grand Avenue and First (Covenant) Presbyterian Churches. Later while living in Europe, Sandy was an active member of the American Women’s Club which provided various volunteer support activities to expatriate Americans.

Sandy loved an adventure, whether it was setting up a kids lemonade stand in the front yard with a silver tea service and fine china cups, spending time at Lake Texoma, staying and entertaining on the boat, traveling on 3 continents, living in Europe, collecting art that represented the adventures, designing, creating and selling custom witch hats for Halloween with her sisters, or finding new music or venues for eating and drinking with friends and family.

Sandy is survived by her husband Patrick Gooden, sons Patrick Shane Gooden and wife Mindy of St. Augustine, FL, Jeffrey Scott Gooden and Wendy Williams of Sherman, TX; siblings Dianne Livingston and husband John of Eldorado Hills, CA, Tammie Wible and husband Ken of Wheeling, WV, and John Grigg and wife Sherry of Denison, TX, Grandchildren Abbey Hawkins and husband Adam, Alexander Gooden, William Gooden and great-grandchildren Liam Hawkins and Lily Hawkins all of St. Augustine, FL. Sandy is also survived by nephews Seth Livingston and Ethan Livingston of California, Sam Knight and wife Karen and Jake Knight of Sherman and Denison, TX, David Grigg of FL and great nephews Theo Knight, Jesse Knight, Crawford Knight, Ryan Livingston, Luke Livingston and grandnieces Joplin Jewel Knight, Isabell Livingston, Sophia Livingston, She was preceded in death by her parents, Jodie Lee and Lois Jean Grigg and sister Renee Willoughby. The family wishes to thank Carlie Glass and Aquanett Robinson of Three Oaks Hospice, for the wonderful care that they provided Sandy during the past month.

Sandy’s Celebration of Life and the things that she loved is planned for Saturday February 24, 2024, in the Pavilion at Sherman Country Club (145 Gibbons Rd., Sherman) starting at 2 pm. Feel free to dress casually and festively to celebrate Sandy’s passion for entertaining people and the joy that it brought her. The family suggests that anyone wishing to honor Sandy’s legacy may make a donation to Three Oaks Hospice or the Home Hospice of Grayson, Cooke and Fannin Counties, in her name.