Pastor Sandra Steele

Sandra Marie Jordan (Steele) passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, in Middletown, Connecticut. Born on July 24, 1949, in Newark, New Jersey, she was the beloved daughter of George Terri and Louise Jordan. In 1954, Sandra relocated to Portland, Connecticut, where she grew up and later graduated from Portland High School, Class of 1966.

Sandra's life was one of extraordinary faith, tireless service, and profound impact. She pursued higher education with passion and purpose, earning an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Middlesex Community College in 1978, a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Southern New Hampshire College in 1986, a Bachelor of Religious Education in 1994, a Master of Religious Education in 1996, and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1997 from United Christian College.

Ordained into ministry in 1996, Pastor Steele went on to establish Solid Rock Faith Deliverance Ministries, Inc. in 1998 A non-denominational church founded on the guiding motto "Just Jesus," her ministry was centered among the people. She intentionally chose The Buttonwood Tree in downtown Middletown as her church home so she could remain on the front lines-serving those in need with compassion, dignity, and unwavering love. Out of her ministry, she gave her whole heart, always finding a way to help, no matter the circumstance. She was truly a warrior for Christ and a woman of unshakable faith.

Sandra's work ethic began early-one of her very first jobs was picking cotton in Portland, Connecticut in the early 1950s. Over her lifetime, she worked in many capacities, including positions at Wesleyan University, CIGNA, and Aetna Life & Casualty, where she dedicated more than 25 years of service before retiring. Even in retirement, she continued serving others as a case manager with the American Red Cross.

She was also a licensed Realtor for more than 30 years and remained an active member of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. Her leadership extended deeply into community service, including membership in the Middletown Ministerial Alliance, the Middletown Interfaith Churches (2009–2017), the Mayor's City of Middletown Warming Center Committee for nine years, and the Religious Affairs Committee of the Middlesex Chapter of the NAACP, where she was also a member for over 35 years.

Pastor Steele served on the Middletown High School Project Building Committee from 2009–2012 and was a past board member of Adelbrook (formerly the Cromwell Children's Home), serving faithfully for five years. She also worked with DMHAS/ATR II from 2007–2010, providing pastoral counseling and basic needs support to individuals recently released from incarceration. In 2008, she completed St. Francis Hospital's Advanced Pastoral Program and later attended Yale Hospital's Grief Counseling Certificate Program. Over her lifetime, she worked with children from birth through young adulthood, as well as the elderly, for more than 50 years through Sunday school, counseling, mentoring, and outreach. She was also a DCF-credentialed provider for children ages 5–17 for over five years.

Beyond ministry and service, Sandra was a visionary entrepreneur. In 1990, she opened The Upper Room Women's Boutique featuring Sandra's Hats in East Haddam, Connecticut. She later founded Reagan's LLC, a women's fashion boutique named after her granddaughter, which remains active today. She was also an author, having written two books. The Inventor of the Magic Toothbrush, and created a résumé and interview training video that is housed in every public library across the state of Connecticut.

A fearless world traveler, Pastor Steele spread the Gospel wherever she went, including a courageous mission to secretly bring Bibles into China at a time when doing so was punishable by death. Her faith was bold, lived-out, and uncompromising.

She will be lovingly remembered for her unmistakable voice, her humor, and her timeless declarations:

"The devil is a liar."

"That's not chicken-that's a buzzard."

And most of all, "The Holy Ghost is real, and the power of agreement works."

Sandra was a pastor, mother, sister, aunt, mentor, and friend. She was a pillar in her community and a guiding light to countless lives.

She is survived by her two sons, Gary Steele and Geoffrey Byrd, both of Middletown, Connecticut; her grandchildren-Gary Steele Jr., Shalisa Tyrese, Greg Steele Jr., Ty Sheik, Tonnie, Namir Walker, Raégan Byrd, Nayir, Jeremiah, Malayah Byrd Iyana, Josiah, Gavyn, Skye, Ozias, Sariah, King, Kashton, Kamyra, and; and her eleven great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sisters Barbara Roane(David Roane), Lorraine Reid, Shirley Jordan, and Jacqueline Spievey-White ; her brothers Michael(Shelia) Spievey and Linwood Spievey.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, George Terri and Louise Jordan; her sister Diane Jordan; her brothers David Jordan and Joey Jordan; and her beloved son Gregory Steele.

Dr. Pastor Sandra Marie Jordan (Steele) lived a life of faith in action-serving boldly, loving deeply, and believing without limits. Her legacy will live on through her family, her ministry, and every life she touched.