Sandra Dunnam Justice

Sandra Dunnam Justice died peacefully on Christmas Day. A lifelong Texan, Sandra was born in Houston on Texas Centennial Independence Day, March 2, 1936, to William Dudley Dunnam and Maunie Frost Dunnam.

Sandy, as she was known, was a sixth generation Houstonian, descending from a great Houston pioneer family that first arrived in Texas in 1824 as one of Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hundred Colony." In 1838, Sandy's great-great-grandfather Samuel Miles Frost purchased land from the Allen brothers to establish Houston's first subdivision, Frost Town.

Sandy attended River Oaks Elementary, and in 1946, joined St. John's School's first-ever 5th grade class. She graduated from Lamar High School before heading to Southern Methodist University, where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma.

On a blind date at a deb party at Rienzi, Sandy met a dashing young Yalie from North Carolina, John Ellis Justice. And as the saying goes, the rest is history. They married in December 1958, and on their honeymoon in Cuba, they caught one of the last planes out as Castro took power.

In 1960, Sandy and John welcomed their first daughter, Jennifer, before relocating to Darien, Connecticut. They soon moved across the pond to London, where they welcomed their second daughter, Amanda.

Upon moving back to Houston, Sandy returned to her love of volunteering, working with Houston's Junior League and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Club. She also relished her time with the Antiques Study Group and several dance clubs: Bolero, Paul Jones, Caribe, and 100 Club. Sandy's true love was the River Oaks Garden Club. She adored working the Pink Elephant and arranging flowers at Bayou Bend, and proudly received an award recognizing her 50 years of membership.

Sandy was a loyal friend to so many. For over 20 years, she played mahjong every week with the same group, before moving onto Rummikub at her new home at The Tradition. She was especially proud to be a part of the "SJS Fifth Grade Girls," with whom she remained close and considered family.

Sandy loved animals, laughing with her grandchildren, traveling the world with John and friends, singing out-of-tune on Christmas, arranging flowers, and putting way too much butter on everything.

Left behind to cherish Sandy's memory are her husband of 68 years, John Ellis Justice, daughter Jennifer Bowen, daughter Amanda Robertson and son-in-law Grant; grandchildren Bo Bowen, Ellis Bowen, Justice Robertson, and Lina Robertson; sister Diana Hill; sister-in-law Martha Martin; and her niece and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Ray Bowen and brothers-in-law, John Hill and William Martin.

The family wishes to extend a special note of gratitude to Dr. Chris Nevins, Medical Clinic of Houston, Dr. Mehmet Alton and his staff at MD Anderson, and the wonderful staff at the Tradition for their years of exceptional care. As well as Charles and Debbie Ishmal and Nikki Hall, who brought such joy and peace to Sandy the last few months.

A celebration of Sandy's life will take place at 2:00pm on Monday, January 5th in the sanctuary of St. Martin's Episcopal Church 717 Sage Rd. in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in Bagby Parish Hall.

A private graveside service at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery will precede the church service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sandy's memory may be directed to MD Anderson Cancer Center, the River Oaks Garden Club Forum of Civics Foundation, the Houston SPCA, or a charity of your choice.