Sandra Sue Bess

1943 - 2012

Sandra S. Bess, a native of New Mexico, died Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. Memorial service: 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 223 S. Pearson Lane, Keller. A reception at the church will follow. Memorials: Gifts may be offered in Sandra's memory to San Gabriel the Archangel Episcopal Church, 4908B Corrales Road, Corrales, N.M. 87048. Sandra was an Episcopal priest for 34 years. She served in the Diocese of the Rio Grande, in the West Texas towns of Terlingua, Lajitas, Marfa, Alpine, Fort Davis, Pecos and Van Horn. From 1980 to 1983 she was archdeacon. Prior to her retirement, she was the founding vicar of San Gabriel the Archangel Episcopal Church in Corrales, N.M. (2005-2009). San Gabriel recently became a parish in the Diocese of the Rio Grande. Sandra was an associate rector at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Albuquerque, N.M., from 1999 until 2005, and the vicar of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Socorro, N.M. She was also a hospital chaplain and a hospice chaplain. Before becoming a priest Sandra trained horses. She also taught young people to ride and show horses in New Mexico and Kansas. She was an accomplished rider and wonderful teacher. Ms. Bess graduated from Rio Grande High School in Albuquerque, N.M., and Fort Hayes College in Kansas. She earned her master of divinity degree at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, Calif., in 1977. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, Earnest and Barbara Bess. Survivors: Her brothers, Christopher and wife, MaryAnn, James and wife, Melody Zownir, Robert and wife, Phyllis; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.