Sandra Golden Daniels

Mrs. Sandra Golden Daniels, known by many as Mama Sandra, passed away peacefully on New Year’s Day 2026 at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Georgia surrounded by her loving family.

Born on February 10, 1942, in Tifton, Georgia, she was a cherished lifelong resident of Tift County. Mama Sandra’s journey through life was defined by her unwavering devotion to her family, the Lord, and His church. She was a proud member of Zion Hope Baptist Church for over 50 years.

The funeral will take place on Sunday 1/04/26 beginning at 3:00 pm at Zion Hope Baptist Church in Tifton, Ga. The Rev. Brad Baker will officiate, and her brother-in-law, Thomas Hunt, will deliver the eulogy. The family will receive family and friends at the church prior to the service from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. After the service, interment will be held in the Zion Hope Baptist Church Cemetery where she will be buried beside her late husband, Thomas Rowell Daniels.

Ben Daniels, Neal Griffis, Greer Howard, Jim Howard, Clint Barfield, Payten Willis, Matt Hunt, and Rusty Hunt will serve as pallbearers. All the families and children that Mama Sandra provided care for over the years will serve as honorary pallbearers.

A proud 1961 graduate of Tifton High School, Mama Sandra embraced a life filled with love and service. Her early years were formed by her parents and hard work. From the age of 7 until she was 14, she helped her father on the dairy farm in Tifton milking cows twice a day, bottling the milk, and delivering milk bottles to homes around Tifton. In her teenage years, her mother became ill and more life lessons were learned that helped form who she was. Later in life, she became a homemaker and a self-employed child care provider. Her role extended beyond mere babysitting; she was a guiding light not only for her own children but also those children that she cared for. She was always very proud of their accomplishments as they grew into adults. Many of the children she cared for often communicated with her 30 and 40 years later.

In July 1998, the Lord blessed her by bringing a new family into her life. Two new doctors, Drs. Drew and Kaylar Howard, moved to Tifton and were in need of a nanny for their very young son. One child turned into three, and while initially providing nanny services for Greer, Mary Kathryn, and Jim, she quickly moved to family status. Mama Sandra often traveled with the family and was an active participant in their family life events. She was deeply appreciative of the love, support, and life they provided her.

Mama Sandra was blessed to be a part of so many families’ lives in Tifton throughout the years through her child care work and also the care of some elderly friends.

As a loving Christ follower, Mama Sandra found joy in sharing her cooking talents and making others feel special through the magic of her culinary skills. She had a remarkable ability to whip up favorite menu items, bringing friends and family together around the table and creating cherished memories with every meal.

Mama Sandra’s family was her greatest treasure. She is survived by her two sons, Rowell Daniels and his wife Beth, and Jeffrey Daniels and his wife Stephanie, along with her beloved daughter, Amy Daniels Griffis, and her husband Andy. Her legacy will continue through her six grandchildren, whom she considered her greatest accomplishment and who lovingly called her “Meme”: Mackenzie Daniels, Ashlyn Daniels, Eliza Daniels, Ben Daniels, Lauren Griffis, and Neal Griffis. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Beth Golden Hunt, her brother-in-law, Thomas Hunt, and her brother-in-law Doug Perrow who has been faithful to travel from Virginia multiple times per year to check on her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas Rowell Daniels, who passed away on March 5, 2002, and her sister in law Evelyn Daniels Perrow. She was also preceded in death by her parents Benjamin Augustus Golden Jr. and Hazel Mann Golden. Sandra tragically lost her brother, Gary Golden in his teenage years.

As we honor the memory of Mama Sandra, we celebrate a life dedicated to the Lord, nurturing those around her, and creating a tapestry of love.

The family would like to show their appreciation to the Doctors and staff of the cardiac stepdown unit at Tift Regional Medical Center as well as Hospice of Tift Area.

Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made Zion Hope Baptist Church, 353 Zion Hope Road, Tifton, Georgia 31793.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.