- Date Of Birth: June 5, 1958
- Date Of Death: March 31, 2016
- State: Tennessee
Sandra Jean Flanigan, age 57, died March 31, 2016, passing away peacefully at St. Thomas Midtown Hospital in the presence of her husband and daughter after battling cancer for 17 years. She was born June 5, 1958 in St. Petersburg, FL to Rosemary and Conrad Pelland. In her junior year of high school she met and fell in love with her husband to be, Stephen Flanigan, who led her to faith in Jesus Christ that same year. Graduating Boca Ciega High class of 1976 they were married on August 19, 1978. Moving out to Los Angeles, CA to support her husband’s pursuit of the entertainment industry, she became the mother of her eldest daughter, the first of three children. They were led to be apart of Jack Hayford’s “Church on the Way” where they received his close spiritual leadership and found their calling to be pastors in Nashville, TN, moving here in 1993. Sandy’s life work work was her family. She also served faithfully at her husband’s church, leading along his side. Shortly after planting their church from their own living room in Brentwood, TN in October 1996, a string of illnesses and surgeries lead to her diagnosis in September of 1999 of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. After being given 6 weeks to 3 months to live, she determined in her heart to fight for life, not cowering to the timeline of her doctors. Year after year, diagnosis after diagnosis, Sandy fought her way through immense physical, spiritual and emotional challenges believing that her disease was an opportunity to glorify God through suffering. In the last 20 years, she has endured 15-20 major operations, including spinal fusion, open heart surgery and a double mastectomy. Sandy has ran the full Music City Marathon, done missions trips to multiple 3rd world countries, was an active member of her community, pastored a church and raised a vibrant loving family. Sandy is survived by her husband Stephen; daughters Nachesca and Chalaini; son Cheyton and his wife Deanna; mother Rosemary Pelland; siblings Billy, Kathrine and Debbie. As well as a host of people that she has deeply impacted, changed and led to truth through her character, story and ministry.
