Sandra Faye Wheeler

Sandra Faye Kennedy Wheeler was born on July 31, 1947 in Martin, TN, the beloved daughter of the late
L.J. “Pete” and Hattie Riggs Kennedy. Her life was one rooted in the love of family and the charity for
those in need, of quiet strength and loud celebration; these things defined Sandra and helped to create
a lasting impression for all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. At age 78 on January 26, 2026,
Sandra passed away in her home due to effects of a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
A graduate of Dresden High School, Sandra married her high school sweetheart, Joe Wheeler, on
December 4, 1965 in a small ceremony. The couple settled in Memphis, TN, where they raised their
three boys – Eric, Mark, and Aaron. In a home and neighborhood packed with children, Sandra and Joe
were always opening the doors of their home to the neighborhood for a peanut butter or bologna
sandwich (of which Sandra claimed to have made “thousands”) while hosting backyard sports and
games of all kinds. The effects of this kindness, as well as the coaching and counseling through area
baseball teams while their own sons grew up, are still felt by many today. As a mother, Sandra was of
the highest quality and loved her sons with all of her heart.
Sandra used her excellent people and management skills professionally, working as an office manager
and bookkeeper for years before choosing to walk away from work when her husband Joe developed
lung cancer. Sandra lovingly devoted her time to his care until Joe’s passing in 2011. Caring to her core,
Sandra then turned her attention to her three grandchildren: Drew, Kyle, and Parker, helping to chauffer
them while enjoying time with them and their friends as a cheerful, fun, constant, loving presence.
An avid sports fan, Sandra enjoyed watching University of Tennessee athletics, but was particularly fond
of the Memphis Grizzlies. After learning how to use Twitter, she built a following as “Grizz Granny” and
was a cherished member of the community, interacting with Grizzlies players and fans from across the
globe. Sandra claimed to have seen every episode of Law and Order “twice,” and was a huge proponent
of “Free-breeze,” “tram-bo-lines,” and a marathon of “Pimp My Car” – though if she knew we included
these here, she might “kick the stew out of us.”
Sandra became afflicted with Alzheimer's disease late in her life and has been in hospice care for the last
several months while living with her son, Eric, and daughter-in-law Blythe. Even when her mind was
failing her, Sandra loved to see her family and was as involved as she was able to be.
In addition to her parents and husband, Sandra was preceded in death by her brother, Bobby Kennedy,
her son, Mark Wheeler, and a host of extended family and special human, canine, and feline friends, all
of whom will have surely rejoiced upon being reunited with her in God’s presence.
Sandra is survived by her oldest son, Eric Wheeler (Blythe) and youngest son, Aaron Wheeler; her
grandchildren, Drew (Mallory) Wheeler, Kyle (fiancé Faith Harbin) Wheeler, and Parker (Claire) Wheeler;
and her great-grandchildren, Keanu Deaton and Cyrus Wheeler.
A Celebration of Life will be held on February 21, 2026 at 1 PM at Williams Funeral Home in Greenfield,
TN. Visitation will begin Saturday morning at 12 noon and go until time of her memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the animal shelter of your
choice or the Alzheimer’s Association.
The world is better to have known Sandra Faye Kennedy Wheeler.