Sandra Sue Tavener

Sandra Sue Stanley Tavener was born in Galveston, Texas on September 12, 1945, and died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Sugar Land, Texas on March 31, 2025, at the age of 79. Her death was unexpected, and the cause of death is unknown.

Sandra was predeceased in death by her husband of 52 years Dan Albert Tavener (died July 14, 2021), her sister Sybil Stanley Vandusen, brother Larry Stanley and her parents Edward Lawrence Stanley and Alma Hazel Thomason Stanley. She is survived by her nephews Scott and Rodney Vandusen (Katrinka), her great niece Kameryn Thomas (Bobby), her great nephew Blake Vandusen (Michelle) and her first cousin Sharon French (Don) along with many friends and family.

Sandra and her family moved from Galveston to Hitchcock, Texas when she was around twelve years old. She graduated in 1964 from Hitchcock H.S. After graduating, Sandra went to work in Galveston where she met the love of her life, Dan Tavener, who was a member of the Coast Guard at the time. They married in Galveston on October 19, 1968.

Sandra and Dan moved to Houston after Dan was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard in November 1971. They first lived in an apartment before buying a house in Sugar Land, Texas where they lived for over 50 years.

Sandra went to work for Century Development in Houston and worked her way up to Property Manager. In the 1980s, she went to work for Metro National, first working in the leasing office and then in the Trust Department. She retired from Metro National when she was 62.

Sandra was beautiful both inside and out, young at heart, kind and loving. She enjoyed shopping with friends, decorating her home for the various seasons and holidays and being with family and friends. Sandra and Dan loved dogs and had many cocker spaniels and other breeds throughout their marriage. Sandra beat breast cancer twice and was an inspiration to others as she maintained a positive attitude throughout her fight against cancer. She was a very active member of the Sugar Creek Baptist Church and was on the hospitality committee (funeral receptions).

An interment service for both Sandra and Dan Tavener will be held at the VA Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038, at 10:30 a.m. on May 9th (line up in lane #1 after entering). A memorial service will be held following the interment service at the Sugar Creek Baptist Church chapel, 13213 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478, at noon. A reception will follow immediately after the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society or the American Kidney Fund.