Sandra Betts Nickens

Obituary for Sandra Betts Nickens Born on August 4, 1946 Sandra, officially known as “Doonie”, departed this life of Saturday, July 5, 2014. Sandra was preceded in death by her mother Virginia Morgan, father Rudolph Betts, grandparents Dora and Earlie Nelson by whom she was raised and her only child John Carroll Nickens,Jr. Reared in Danville, VA she attended public school there graduating from John M. Langston High School in 1962. She came to know Christ through her worship experiences at Shiloh Baptist Church and was baptized an early age. She was active in youth activities serving in the choir and as an usher. She continued her education at Virginia State University and eventually secured employment with the U.S. government at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. She enjoyed a long career holding several positions over the years and eventually retired in 1992. Her home life focus on the care and nurturing of John Jr. Outside of work she enjoyed interior decorating and was given to unique artistic expressions dabbling in several crafts and graphic arts over the years. After living in Florida for several years of her retirement she relocated to Richmond where she had lived at a senior residence for almost 10 years. She enjoyed the independence and the sense of community that her lifestyle afforded despite some health concerns. She loved the shopping outing and celebrating holidays and special events were family. Sandra will be remembered for her spontaneous laughter, generous spirit and love of written communications. She would literally give you the shoes off her feet or the purse on her shoulder if you gave any indication that you like that. She shared her gift of letter writing for many over the years. There was nothing like a letter from Doonie! Love to cherish her memory are her devoted aunt, Mary N. Spencer; aunts, Cleopatra Nelson and Dr. Delores Betts Stephens; attentive first cousins, Cynthia Hampton(Carthel), Donna Venable(Les), Michele Spencer, and Harold Bigelow. Additional first cousins include, Wiladene Keen, Prentice Nelson, Marguerite Holliness Lee and Nadine Betts, Jean Holliness, Ricky Thompson, Sharon Betts Houston, Edgar Dews, Chandra Stephens- Albright and Charlita Stephens- Walker; devoted friends Shirley Thomas and Sharon Green, and a host of other friends neighbors and relatives.

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Sandra Betts Nickens

August 4, 1946 - July 5, 2014