Sandra Rochella Chung

Sandra Rochella Chung (nee Buckland) was born May 15, 1944 to loving parents Harold St. John and Celia Bouvier Buckland in Franklin Town, Jamaica, West Indies. She was the youngest of three children; Carroll (her eldest brother, affectionately known as "Junior") and Carl Anthony.
Sandra met her beloved Kingsley, in Jamaica, in the early 1960s. They spent the rest of that decade falling in love, and were married in November of 1970. After marriage, Sandy became a part-time employee at the local store (A&L Supermarket) that the Chung's owned, as the couple welcomed their 3 children together (Natalie, Kurt and Kinita). Kingsley and Sandy continued to run the supermarket until 1977, when Kingsley, Sandy, and their Pickney migrated to the US and settled in Silver Springs, Maryland. The family would remain here for the next 40 years, where their family would continue to grow to include many grandchildren (and even a great-grandchild), until they retired and made their way down to cozy Port St. Lucie, Florida in 2016.
If you knew Sandy, you knew that she loved music, and would often be heard singing to herself (or anyone who would listen) or breaking out into one of her famous dance moves (the most famous being: her hands up with the hip wiggle!) Some of her favorite singers included the likes of Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, and Neil Sedaka. However, her overall favorite was gospel music star Mahalia Jackson. Some of Jackon's most cherished songs that brought such warmth to Sandy's heart were: "Take My hand", "Precious Lord", and "How I Got Over". Her adoration of Mahalia Jackson also transferred to the big screen, as she starred in Sandy's favorite movie "Imitation of Life" (1959), as a church choir soloist; a movie that touched on issues that she cared about deeply (such as race, class, gender, equality, etc.). Sandy would get so excited at the end of the movie when Mahalia sings a powerful song ("Trouble of the World") at the funeral of a character in the film named Annie. This was her absolute favorite.
Sandra 's warm gentle nature wasn't just on display when she soulfully gave her best Mahalia Jackson rendition. No... This was who she was at her core. The type of nurturing woman who would give you the shirt off her back, if she thought for even a second, that you were in need. In addition to said kindness, her inquisitiveness and keen intellect drove her in all pursuits/endeavors. There is a quote from Mahalia Jackson that perfectly touches on Sandra's character:
"If you believe in God, He will open the windows of heaven and pour blessings upon you."
Sandy was certainly blessed, and she shared her blessings with all those who knew her; touching/impacting many lives.
On February 29th, 2024 the good Lord called our dearest Sandy home. Her departure has left a profound void that has been felt throughout the entire family, as well as countless others who loved and cared for her deeply. She will be greatly missed by her doting husband Kingsley; her children Natalie, Kurt, and Kinita; her grandchildren Chyna, Solaris, Darren, and Kingston; her great-grandson Ismail; as well as a host of close relatives, family, and friends.
The family will invite friends to visit, Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 3PM until the service begins a 4PM.