Winnie Lee Sandford was born on May 5, 1932, in Lawrence County, Alabama, to the late Reverend Bennie and Elder Harriet (Dobbins) Sandford. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Rob, Joe, and Matt Sandford; sisters, Fannie Steele, Bettye Gigger, and Channie Mitchell; and two children, Elgie Payne and Linda Payne Johnson. She transitioned to be with her Lord and Savior on August 20, 2023, at 1:19 a.m. at Decatur Morgan Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young child at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church (Little Sam Community), under the leadership of Reverend Nathaniel Cole. In her young adult years, she moved her membership to Little Star Cumberland Presbyterian Church which her maternal grandparents, Reverend Matt and Ella Dobbins, founded in July of 1898. As the oldest attending church member, she remained dedicated until God called her home. Down through Little Star’s Church history, she held many roles and capacities where she served wholeheartedly, earnestly, and diligently for her Lord and Savior. One of her many quotes she often would state was, “Anything you do for God, let it be real.” She was educated in the Lawrence County school system and later obtained her GED in her adult years. She was a devoted employee for over a cumlative of 50 years at Lawrence County Hospital and Bill Sexton dry cleaning business. She was a very happy homemaker where she enjoyed canning, cooking, crocheting, gardening, and babysitting her grandchildren. She was the oldest member of Little Star Chapter #378 order of Eastern Star in Town Creek, Alabama 35672. She held a very high regard for her family and friends for whom she provided unmeasurable love, care, and attention. She was the anchor that held her family together. Her exemplified love instilled what was needed for the love and care to be returned to her in her time of need. She leaves to cherish her memory: her sister, Dorthy Stovall of Cleveland, Ohio; son, Dale Payne (Cora) of Trinity, AL; daughters, Shirley Woods (Edward Cater) of Town Creek, AL, and Harriet Crayton (Adam) of Decatur, AL; thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; part of her extended family, Patrick Smith of Spring, TX; and a large host of nieces, nephews, and a very large host of loving cousins and friends.
