Sandra Jean ""Sandy"" Martin

Sandra Jean O'Cheskey Martin (Sandy) passed away in her home on Nov. 22, 2013, after a two-year battle with cancer.
Sandy was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico, to Fred and Joyce O'Cheskey on Jan. 9, 1946. She graduated from Carlsbad Senior High School in 1964 and Eastern New Mexico University in 1969. She was a member of Alpha Delta Phi Sorority.
Sandy taught in the Carlsbad Municipal School District until she moved to Albuquerque in 1987, where she taught in the Albuquerque Public School District and Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute. She then moved on to the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education and then retired in 2007 from the State of New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department where she was a bankruptcy supervisor. Sandy moved to Texas to be closer to her grandchildren: Matthew, Braile and Brandon. She was the hardest working woman anyone would ever know; she taught both her daughters, Amy and Neile, her tireless work ethic. After moving to Midland, Texas, she continued her love of teaching with Midland College in their GED program. She was a wonderful mother, sister, teacher and friend as well as "animal mom" to her dog, Odie, and her cat, Baby Cat. She never met an animal she didn't like, most especially dogs. Anyone knew when they were invited over, so were their animals.
Sandy was preceded in death by her father, Fred, and her mother, Joyce. Sandy is survived by her eldest daughter Amy Martin Reed and husband Judson of Midland, Texas; her daughter Neile Martin McTaggart of Houston, Texas; a brother Walter O'Cheskey and wife Charlotte of Lubbock, Texas; a brother Fred O'Cheskey and wife Diane of Albuquerque, New Mexico; a sister Lora Lee Thomas and husband Bob of San Diego, California, as well as nieces and nephews. Most important to her were her three grandchildren: Matthew Douglas Groeschel of Midland, Texas, Braile Jo McTaggart and Brandon Frank McTaggart of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by her faithful pet children "Odie" and "Baby Cat."
Per Sandy's request, no funeral services will be held and a cremation will take place. In lieu of the services, the family will have a celebration of her life in a private memorial.
In lieu of flowers, her daughters have requested that you make a donation in Sandy's honor to your local SPCA or to Home Hospice of West Texas, 901 West Missouri, Midland, TX 79701 (www.homehospicewtx.com). Special thanks to Home Hospice of Midland, Lori Case, RN, Dr. Mangat (Manny) and staff at Allison Cancer Center, Encompass Home Health, Francis Franco, Johnny and Melanie Willis, Corey and Angie Payne, Midland Family Medical Services, Adela Leon, Jerry and Joann Alvin, Diane Dunagan Aiello, Bonnie Russell, and the countless other friends and neighbors that have shown their love to Sandy over the years and especially during the last two years.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.