Sandra Payne Rushing, 80, of Garland, Texas died on May 21, 2025 after a severalyear battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Visitation will be held at the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas on June 6 at 1 p.m., with the service following at 2 p.m.
Sandra was born on Dec. 2, 1944 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Wynne and Dorothy Payne.
She went to Lampasas High School, graduating in 1962.
She went on to McMurry College in Abilene for three years where she met her future husband, Larry Rushing. From that union, she had two daughters.
Sandy was a devoted mother to her daughters LeAnn Ratliff and Laurie Rushing. She attended every soccer game, drill team performances, football games and many other school activities. She was a doting “Mimi” to her two grandchildren, Rachel and Ryan Ratliff, attending basketball and football games whenever possible.
Sandy taught children’s Sunday School and Disciple I & II for adult classes at First United Methodist Church in Richardson. She made certain her daughters were active in Sunday School, church services, church choir and handbells.
She worked at E-Systems and Raytheon for 35 years, making many lifelong friendships with her work family throughout her lengthy career as an executive administrative assistant.
Sandy had a heart of gold and treated everyone she met with respect and kindness. Her smile and laughter would light up any room.
After retirement, she enjoyed cooking, gardening, shopping and traveling to Canton for gifts.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her two daughters, LeAnn Ratliff of Abilene and Laurie Rushing of Garland; two grandchildren, Rachel Ratliff of Dallas and Ryan Ratliff of Plano; her sister, Linda Nelson of Lampasas; son-in-law, Bill Ratliff, of Plano; and multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.
