Sandra Lee Graham

Obituary
Sandra Lee Tinsley Graham passed away peacefully to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
on October 31, 2025, at 8:10 a.m.
Sandra was born on November 3, 1948, in Champaign, Illinois. She was the second of four
children, and the only daughter, born to L.T. Tinsley and Nellie Mae Tinsley. She received Christ
on July 28, 1964, at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Champaign, Illinois. She was the
granddaughter of Dara Tharpe-McHaney, affectionately known as Momma Dora, and Claude
"Pops" Britt. Momma Dora was a sweet lady whom she spent a lot of time with, and she learned
how to sew, which became a lifelong hobby and craft.
Following graduation from high school, Sandra attended Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois,
for nursing. She then relocated to Minneapolis, MN, to continue her studies at Saint Mary's
University of Minnesota. In 1971, she graduated with her nursing degree. Throughout her life,
she has had a passion for nursing. She dedicated her career to caring for others, from hospital
settings to community health, including the Minneapolis Pilot City Program, the Red Door (on
three separate occasions), the largest HIV and STD clinic in Minnesota, Hennepin County, the
Annex Teen Clinic, the Berman Center, and the University of Minnesota. As a nurse practitioner,
she stressed the importance of self-care and maintaining a healthy balance not just in the lives of
nurses and patients, but for everyone.
On October 18, 1975, Sandra married Willie James Graham. They had four children. She loved
her family very much! Sandra and Willie just celebrated 50 years of marriage.
Sandra's lifelong friend, Nancy Brown, was first met in middle school. Sandra could talk to
Nancy, her longtime friend, all day and night about anything and everything. Sandra met several
other lifelong friends through her work, including but not limited to "the Sistah Chicks" (Cathy
Heuer, Shirley Conn, Arlene Gillett, Lana Herskovitz, Gloria Livingston, and Mary Perron),
Linda Gabriel, and Norma Wooley. Her friends have consistently commented that she has made a
difference in so many lives.
Sandra leaves to cherish her memory three children: Taunya Marie Tinsley of King of Prussia,
PA, Nadiya Tinsley-Graham of Minneapolis, MN, and Yishmael Graham of Minneapolis, MN;
two brothers, Lindell Tinsley (Maureen) of Manassas, VA, and Aaron Tinsley (Madlayn) of
Champaign, IL. She has 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces,
nephews, and many close family and friends.
Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, L.T., Tinsley, and Nellie Mae Tinsley, her brother,
Byron Tinsley, her son, Ethan Lamar Graham, her granddaughter, Amaya Graham, and her
grandson, Jaylin Leon Hughes.
~Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.~
John 6:47 KJV
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