Sandra Lunsford (née Autry) of Hope Mills died Jan. 23, 2024, after being hospitalized with pneumonia at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. She was 76.
The middle child and only daughter of William and Virginia Autry, Sandra was born in Sampson County on Oct. 13, 1947. She graduated from Massey Hill Classical High School in 1964 and briefly lived in Ohio before returning to North Carolina to raise her two children.
A compassionate person with a drive to help others, Sandra found her calling as a social worker in Cumberland County. She enjoyed a fulfilling career before retiring in 2006 after 30 years of service.
Sandra was a loyal member of Victory United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and led efforts to support the North Carolina conference of United Methodist Women. She loved coffee, Christmas and college basketball — especially when the Tar Heels were winning.
But her greatest loves in life were her daughters: Mary Baxley-Aguirre and Heather Lunsford. They are left to treasure her memory with brothers Glenn and Gary Autry (wife Linda), grandson Jaymie Baxley (wife Tracy), granddaughter Delia Salazar and several cherished friends and relatives.
The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. on Feb. 18 at Victory United Methodist Church in Fayetteville. A memorial service officiated by pastor Perry Roberts will follow at 2 p.m.
