Sandra McCuistion Elder

Sandra McCuistion Elder, 77, of Rocky Face passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2019, surrounded by her husband and three sons. Sandra was an active member of Dalton First United Methodist church where she was a devoted member of the chancel choir and the Bo Thompson Sunday school class. She had a beautiful soprano voice, which she shared her entire life. An honors graduate of Centenary College, she was a member of the renowned Centenary Choir, which spent one summer appearing as back-up singers to the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. She taught high school English and Spanish before having children, was a regular substitute teacher, and used her Spanish to help many in Dalton who were learning English. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she was a sports fan, as long as a husband, son, or grandchild was playing. She enjoyed hiking, birds, tennis, and travel. While she enjoyed far away places, her favorite trip was always to see her sister Lynda and extended family in Little Rock. An experienced den mother, she knew her way around a bow and arrow, but admired camping from a distance. She was an active member of the Dalton Artistic Civic Theater, appearing in a number of musicals over the years. Growing up in El Dorado, Arkansas, she met her husband Howard Elder in the first grade. Theirs was a life-long romance. They both attended Centenary College, and on June 26, 1965, they married in El Dorado while Howard was in graduate school at LSU. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage, living in Texas, South Carolina, and three cities in Georgia before ultimately spending 28 years in Dalton. Born January 6, 1942 in El Dorado, she is the daughter of Margaret and J.B. McCuistion, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her loving husband Howard, three sons and daughters-in-law, Steven and Anastasia Elder of Starkville, MS, Bruce and Heather Elder of Atlanta, GA, Scott and Brooke Elder of Decatur, GA, her sister Lynda Lewis, nephew John Lewis, and niece Sarah James, of Little Rock, AR, and eight grandchildren, Nick, Luke, Zoe, Sarah, Will, Katie, Aidan, and Ryan. The family will have visitation starting at 12:00 PM on Thursday, January 17, 2019, in the Atrium at Dalton First United Methodist Church, 500 S. Thornton Avenue, followed by a Celebration of Life Service in the sanctuary at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sandra’s honor to the Dalton First United Methodist Church, the City of Refuge Dalton, or your favorite charity. Arrangements have been entrusted to independently owned and operated Dalton Funeral Home, 620 S. Glenwood Ave. Dalton, GA 30721; 706-529-5371.