SAUNDRA J. HETTESON

Saundra Jean Hetteson, affectionately called "Sandy," was born on October 9, 1943, to Hurie Lee and Margie Vivian Hetteson.

Sandy received her formal education in the South Bend Community Schools, graduating from Central High School. She was employed by AM General for over 30 years, from which she retired.

As a lifelong resident of South Bend, Indiana, Sandy cherished her community, family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. This circle of meaningful people and friendships brought her peace as she restfully passed away on December 13, 2022, under the care of her niece, Rachelle Hetterson and family friend, Dana Jeffers.

Her life was purposeful. She was a daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend. An avid reader, she was a member of the Robinson Community Learning Center Senior Book Club where she shared thoughts and conversations about the books they read. She also participated in the Senior Lunch and Learn program. In addition, Sandy loved shopping and restaurant outings.

She was a long-standing member of Pentecostal Cathedral Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Bishop Donald L. Alford, Sr., where she served in various capacities. It is known that she genuinely enjoyed crafting the Birthday Recognition Board each month which acknowledged the birthdays of all members. Each board was unique and complimented that month.

Even though Sandy had no biological children, she possessed the attributes of a mother. She would not hesitate to give of her time and resources to help her family. She did so with love. Her voice displayed care and kindness in a soft gentle style but could be stern and direct when needed.

Her life was well lived and surrounded with love by her family, the Davises, who were so important to her. Sandy is survived by her cousins, considered as siblings, Jonathan (Denise) Davis, Jr., Elder Mitchell Davis, Beverly Johnson, and Kathy (Elder Leonard) Brown, all of South Bend, Indiana; Nieces: Ronda (Charles Pumpuni) Hetterson, Springfield, Virginia, Rachelle Hetterson, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Teah Hetteson, Harker Heights, Texas, and Genee Neal, Mishawaka, Indiana; Nephew: Rodney Hetterson, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Great nephews: Kojo, Kweku and Kofi Pumpuni, Springfield, Virginia, Cameron Stokes, Sr., South Bend, Indiana, and his children, Cameron, Jr., Jaxsyn, Camiylah and Kylen Stokes; Great Nieces: Cerra Hetteson and Breal Williams, South Bend, Indiana, and special family friend, Dana Jeffers, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her cousin, Robert (Ella Mae) Shelby, Benton Harbor, Michigan, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, Hurie Lee and Margie Vivian Hetteson, her brothers, Charley Hetterson and Ronald Hetteson, special aunt and uncle, Jonathan, Sr., and Lucille Davis, her cousin/sister, Evelyn Marable, and great nephew, Destin Blake-Stokes.

God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be
So, He put His arms around you
And whispered 'Come with Me.'
Rhonda Braswell

Services honoring the blessed life of Sister Hetteson will be held on Thursday December 22, 2022; 12 Noon at Pentecostal Cathedral Church Of God In Christ, 1025 Western Ave, South Bend, IN 46601. Bishop Donald L. Alford Sr. will bring the word. Friends may visit with the family an hour prior. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted with Alford's Mortuary Inc.

Published by Alford's Mortuary on Dec. 15, 2022.

01/28/2023 EJS