David "Hed" Sands

David Lee Sands known to most as “Hed” passed peacefully from this life and into glory at his home in Chewey in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 12, 2025 surrounded by those he loved at the age of 80 years and 5 months.

David was born in Cherokee County, Oklahoma to Tom Sands and Nanny (Reece) Sands on November 12, 1944. As a boy, he spent his time in the woods, hollers and hills of Briggs and Pumpkin Holler to Chewey and running the banks of the Illinois river with his brothers, cousins and friends. As he got older he enjoyed hunting of all sorts, playing baseball, fast pitch softball, fast cars and chasing a certain pretty girl around at the stomp grounds. Don’t worry, she let him catch her and on June 14, 1976 he married his best friend, help mate and love of his life, Jonita Oakball Sands. From this union came 3 daughters and 1 son. Hed and Jo shared countless loving memories until her passing in January of 2021. David asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior in 1974 and dedicated his life to following Christ and leading others to Him as well. He never learned to read or write but even so God wrote scripture and songs in David’s heart to share and he did just that. He served as head deacon and song leader at Illinois River Church for the last 47 years. Gifted with a beautiful voice, he was known near and far for his gospel singing in English and Cherokee. He traveled and participated in mission trips from Canada to New Mexico and was always ready and willing to do whatever The Lord called him to do and go wherever The Lord called him to go. He was a fierce prayer warrior and his faith was unmatched. He loved Jesus above all else and his heart’s desire was to see all of his family and friends come to know Jesus as well and for him to see them all in heaven. Always a hard worker, determined provider and protector David held various jobs earlier on and would often travel out of state for work, picking peaches, cutting broom corn and moving cemeteries. He was one of Mr. Tom Tate’s top ranch hands on his ranch, drove a bean picker for Allen Canning Co. and then finally a road grader operator for Adair County district 3 until his retirement in 2011. Retirement didn’t slow him down at all. On any day you could find him building fence, mowing grass, cutting wood, gardening, or just working around his home and taking care of his chickens and dogs. An avid OU Sooners fan Hed could also be found watching his beloved Sooners on tv whenever they played. David loved to laugh and to make people laugh. Known as a jokester, he was always cracking jokes and being silly. His greatest joy was his family and especially his grandchildren. He loved spending time and fellowshipping with everyone and would get everyone together whenever he could to enjoy his famous hog meat. A fluent Cherokee speaking elder, David was a pillar to the Chewey community and well respected by all who knew him. A simple, honest man full of dignity, he lived a simple life richly blessed by God and leaves behind a legacy of life lessons for all of us to follow after. He was a father figure to many, and a wonderful brother and friend. David loved endlessly and was loved in return, he will be dearly missed by all.

His memory will forever be cherished by his 3 daughters, Sherry Sands of Chewey, Oklahoma; Nanette Sidebottom of Kansas, Oklahoma; Brandi Harmon and husband Zach of Flint Ridge, Oklahoma; 2 brothers Woodrow “Red” Sands of Briggs, Oklahoma; Tommy Sands and wife Becky of Kansas, Oklahoma; 1 baby sister, Charlene “Gaya” Pickup and husband Richard “Duke” Pickup of Kenwood, Oklahoma; 16 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; a host of beloved family and countless friends.

Preceding him in passage are his mom and dad; his wife Jonita Sands; sons Joel Sands and Rex Sidebottom; brothers Scott McLemore and Floyd “Sonny” Sands Sr.; sisters Geraldine “Sister” Turtle and Nancy “Pug” Kihega.

David’s celebration of life will be on Thursday April 17, 2025 at 2 PM at the Cedar Tree Baptist Assembly tabernacle in Briggs, Oklahoma. Pastors DJ McCarter and Wayne “Booley” Forrest will officiate the service. Burial will follow at the Sands cemetery in Chewey Oklahoma. A potluck dinner will be served afterwards at the Chewey Community building.

The arrangements have been entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com