Barbara Jane Williams Sands

Barbara Jane Williams Sands passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family on October 22, 2025. Born in Charleston, West Virginia, she lived in Memphis since 1953. After graduating from Messick High School and the University of Memphis (where she served as music director of Alpha Gamma Delta and earned the crown in the Miss Frayser Pageant), she started a career in education, teaching Religion and English at St. Mary's Episcopal School, Language Arts at the Hutchison School, freshman English at University of Memphis and later serving as Assistant Director of Governor's School for International Studies.
She was active in Holy Communion Episcopal Church and taught Sunday school, led the music curriculum for summer camp, and participated in various book groups and Bible studies. Barbara and William (Sandy) spent many years hiking with their friends and critiquing films with their movie group. Barbara also loved her Mah Jongg groups and Dilettante friends, serving as president of the study group in 2014.
She lived life to the fullest and enjoyed many talents, including singing, dancing, sewing (her blue ribbon quilt, smocked dresses, a dress line) and cooking (her beautiful pies). She was an accomplished writer, going back mid-life to earn a Master's in English, winning awards from Memphis Magazine and Southeast Review and doing post-graduate work at the University of Mississippi and Wesleyan College. However, above all else, she loved her family and the time they spent together playing board games, swimming, hiking in the Smoky Mountains and, in later life, enjoying their cabin at Greers Ferry, Arkansas – boating and watching stars around the bonfire. She was known for her annual Christmas party, where the family gathered and children performed, and for making friends everywhere.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 60 years, William A. Sands, Jr, her sons, Christopher Sands (Michelle), Stephen Sands (Cindy), her daughter Angel Sands Gunn (Kirt) and grandchildren Russell Sands, Emma Sands, Lilly Sands, Weston Sands, Caroline Gunn and Stella Gunn, her sister Linda Overton, sister-in-law Kay Sands, and five nieces – Melissa (Jonathan/child Mars), Heather, Kathy, Kelly, and Sharon and a large extended family. She was an exceptional human and will be remembered for her elegance, intelligence and steadfast love. She continues to be a beacon of hope and determination for all who knew her.
A celebration of life will be held at Memorial Park Chapel on December 22, 2025 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be given to Holy Communion Episcopal Church's Food Recovery Ministry or to Calvary Episcopal Church in Memphis in her honor. The Holy Communion Calvary Memphis