NEWSOMS—Sandra Baxter Smith, 60, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2015, at Sentara Hospice House in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

She was born on Dec. 23, 1954, to the late William Lee Baxter and Lelia P. Baxter in Franklin, Virginia. She was a member of the Franklin High School Class of 1973, and obtained a BS in accounting from Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia.

Sandra married her childhood love, Michael A. Smith, on May 10, 1974. They made their home in Newsoms, Virginia, and raised three beautiful children, Shannon, Michael B. and Yale.

After 35 years of employment at Union Camp/International Paper, Sandra retired. At the time of her retirement, she was a customer service manager for the Information Papers business.

She had a close relationship with Christ, and as a result served in many different organizations throughout her life. At the time of her passing, she was the director of finance at the First Baptist Church in Franklin, as well as the treasurer for the Kingdom Building Equipping School in Norfolk.

She also was the treasurer of the Lambda Psi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., a divine sisterhood that strives to be a service to all mankind. She also was a committee member for Pink is Powerful, a cancer support organization.

Sandra was a “superwoman” who loved so deeply and believed in demonstrating her love through her actions. She was always more concerned about others than her own well being and she freely gave of herself and her resources. She believed in the importance of family staying connected and reaching out to one another. She took her role and responsibility in nurturing an atmosphere in the home in which love was ever-present and that same infectious love was felt throughout her extended family as well. She believed in family togetherness and she worked, at length, to make that happen. Sandra was energetic and fun-loving, with a smile that would melt your heart. She loved to travel with her close friends and family.

Sandra leaves the following people to continue the legacy that she has built through her life of service: mother, Lelia Baxter; husband, Michael A. Smith; children, Shannon Harris (Sean), Michael B. Smith (Keisha); Yale Cullings; one grandchild, Michael Cameren Smith; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

The homegoing service will be in First Baptist Church; 318 Hall St., Franklin, on Friday, March 6, at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Southampton Memorial Park Cemetery, Franklin.

Elvin Vaughan Funeral Home, Franklin, is in charge.