Sandra "Sande" Carol Avery

Sandra “Sande” Carol Avery, 82, was born on March 17, 1943, to Robert W. Gunn and Penny Blackledge Gunn in Pensacola, Florida, and passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Sande dedicated her life to public service, working as a 911 Dispatcher and later as a Desk Sergeant for police departments in San Diego, California, and Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

In 1958, she married Mel Turnage, and together they raised three children: Michael, Patricia, and David. Years later, she married Garry Avery, who had two daughters, Donna and Terry. Sande and Gary shared 47 years of marriage until his passing in 2022.

Beyond her career and family, Sande found joy in birdwatching, especially hummingbirds, following true crime stories, and spending cherished time with her grandchildren. Her love for nature, curiosity, and devotion to family will be remembered by all who knew her.

Sande was preceded in death by her parents, Robert W. and Penny Gunn, and her beloved husband, Garry Avery. She is survived by her children, Patricia and Jesse Santillan, Michael Avery and Julian Avery, David Avery, Donna and Hank Abram, and Terry and Gary Haynes; grandchildren, Alina Beaux Santillan, Erica and Todd Holmes, Cassie and Josh Glavan, Colt Abram Landon, Tyler Luft, and Racheal and Austin Graham; and her great-grandchildren, Mackenly, Tucker, Ansley, and Brynley Holmes, Lacie, Desirea, and Kylie Tapper, Emmalynn Rose, Temperance Ray, Kyler Layton Luft, Layla Soto, Fynlee Graham, and Isabell Graham.