Sandra Barefoot

Sandra “Sandy” Willard Barefoot, age 69, of Fort Mill, SC, went home to be with our Lord on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, while at Wellmore Skilled Nursing Facility in Tega Cay, SC.  Born on February 27, 1955, in Detroit, Michigan, she was the beloved wife of Dr. Sherwood W. Barefoot, Jr. of Fort Mill and the precious daughter of William “Bill” Euzema Braswell, Sr, and the late Clara Johnson Braswell of Newberry, South Carolina, and of the late Oscar Joe Willard of Dallas, Texas.

Sandy’s first three years of education in Dearborn, Michigan, were followed by her education in South Carolina.  She was an honor graduate of Newberry High School where she was voted “Most Talented” and then attended Newberry College before transferring to the University of South Carolina. There she received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education, graduating cum laude.   During this time she was given the USC Presidential Award and was fortunate enough to have studied under the renowned Dr. Max W. Camp.  Soon afterwards, she began teaching music at Irmo Middle School where she was chosen “Teacher of the Year.”  

Sandy’s musical ability was evident at an early age.  She started playing the piano at age two, provided the piano accompaniment for her kindergarten “graduation” class, began composing music and studying under Professor Darr Wise at Newberry College by the age of eight, and received her first professional gig as a junior in high school when she composed and arranged music for a beauty pageant contestant.

Sandy’s church music ministry began when she started serving as Minister of Music at a United Methodist church in North Carolina where she directed the Chancel Choir, the children’s and youth choirs, handbells, liturgical dance, drama, and the adult praise ensemble.  After writing musical works which were available to the public, she became a member of ASCAP.

Next, she served as music director of Community in Christ Lutheran Church, a position she dearly loved, in Cornelius, North Carolina.  At the same time, she also was the music and artistic director for the North Mecklenburg Community Chorus and for Second Act, a chorale group at North Mecklenburg Senior Center in Huntersville.  Sandy was selected to write a composition for a new publication of the poet and lyricist Charles Wesley, a brother of the founder of the Methodist Church.  

Everything Sandy did was with enthusiasm and as if unto the Lord.  She loved teaching and made learning a joyful, pleasant experience; she always had an abundance of  new ideas for her compositions and productions and worked diligently to bring them to fruition; she dearly loved and was devoted to her family and friends and did whatever she could to help, encourage, and bring them happiness; she was a precious blessing from the Lord to all who knew her.  

In addition to her husband and to her father, Sandy is survived by her siblings Jo Carole  (Robert) McCaughrin and William E. Braswell, Jr. of Newberry; by her daughters Carrie (Jason) Kinley of Sugar Hill, Georgia, Heather (Jeremiah) Owens of Taylors, South Carolina, and Stephanie Lynn Rogers of Charlotte, North Carolina;  by step-sons, Andrew Barefoot of Granbury, Texas and Thomas Barefoot of Charleston, South Carolina; by a step-daughter, Susan Goodykoontz of Phoenix, Arizona, by her grandchildren Abby, Connor, and Carson Kinley of Sugar Hill and James David Owens, II of Taylors; by nine step-grandchildren and by her nieces Clara Natalea McCaughrin of Newberry and Anna Claire Braswell of Columbia.  

The funeral service and burial are Monday, June 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Newberry, South Carolina, officiated by Pastor Lisa Beery.  The Memorial Service will be Friday, June 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Community in Christ Lutheran Church in Cornelius, North Carolina, officiated by Pastor Michael Beery, Pastor Lisa Beery.  Prelude Music for the service on Friday, June 7th will begin at 12 Noon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the organization Christian Music Well.  The website is cmwell.org

Active pallbearers are Jimmy Braswell, Jon Franklin, Jason Kinley, Jeremiah Owens, Danny Rayfield, and John Worthington.