Sandra "Sandy" Dorothy Royston, was born April 17, 1960 in Yonkers, New York. She passed away in Ada, Oklahoma on January 11, 2024 after a late-stage diagnoses of cruel and relentless cancer.

Sandy is survived by her husband and very best friend of 45 years; Dwayne of Ada OK.  Children; Jason (Holly) Royston of Clinton, MO, Lauren (DT) Cordry of Norman, OK, Caleb (Felicia Gladden) Royston of Ada, OK. Five grandchildren; Dyllon (Nicole) Stafford, Cody Miller, Aries Cordry, Frankie Royston, and Scarlet Royston, as well as her brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her foster parents Tom and Vera Henry, her father and mother-in-law, Frank and Mollie Royston, and her sister-in-law Darlin Smith.

Sandy and Dwayne met in 1978 in Germany, where they were both stationed while on active duty in the Army. The entire world opened for her when she met her soulmate, Dwayne. He knew quickly that her sass, sweet spirit, her grit, her kind hair, and soft smile (which never wavered) were his purpose for living. Sandy's military career was brief but served as the springboard for a lifetime of fun, travel, and adventure. Following her honorable discharge, Sandy and Dwayne saw seven assignments throughout Dwayne's military career. Formidable years of their marriage occurred in Aniston, Alabama at Fort McLellan, which is where they will eventually be interned together.

Home was where the Army sent them, and in 1993 it sent them to Ada, OK where they bought their house. While Sandy had honed customer service skills and sales experience through essential leadership roles in boutique retail shops, NCO clubs, and other restaurants and bars, it was in Ada that she grew her career.  She started at Hayes Oldsmobile Cadillac as the Office Manager, and then moved through positions up to Purchasing Agent for what was then Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. Her children attribute their work ethic strongly to the example set by their parents. She made dear friends and colleagues in her career at PPLS from August 1997 to August 2004. Sandy's family is forever grateful for the unlimited kindness shown by friends and family following Sandy's accident in the summer of 2004. The traumatic brain injury showed Sandy what mattered most in life: the love of family and her faith.

She was most proud of her sons for answering the call and serving tours in active-duty combat, and of her daughter for graduating from OU and building her own career.  Sandy turned her heartbreak of being in the foster system into her purpose – she and Dwayne centered themselves around the love for and of their children.

Sandy treasured music and she and Dwayne, occasionally with their rowdy friends, saw many live acts – from Kidd Rock to Lauren Daigle and everything in between. There was always music on.  Music played during family dinners every weeknight and even when they left the house to go to the grocery store, so the pets didn't feel so alone.

She spent a great deal of her time volunteering for the local animal shelter and hospital, and as a youth teacher for the children's ministry at her church home, The Refuge. She loved each and every member of her Sunday school class and relished the many meals and prayers they shared, growing in their commitment to Jesus.

Sandy will be remembered for morning hair that looked like she brushed it with a pork chop, and her adoration for her animals - the long list of pets who greeted her in Heaven where they've waited for her across the rainbow bridge is a testament of a life well lived here on Earth! Mostly though, she is remembered as a blue-eyed beauty who loved her people in all ways, always.

Her celebration of life will be at The Refuge, 1001 Tipton Terrace, Ada, OK 74820 on January 19, 2024 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations in Sandy's name to your local animal shelter.