Sandra Adams

Obituary for
Sandra Kaye Adams (Flemings)

Sandra Kaye (Flemings) Adams

On the morning of June 21, 2017, Sandra Kaye (Flemings) Adams passed away at home after a valiant battle with Leukemia. Sandra was born on June 2, 1948, in Salt Lake City, Utah and is the daughter of Lillie (Flemings) and Walter Lewis. Military family life took Sandra to Germany during her grade school years. After returning, she attended Douglass High School in Lawton, Oklahoma, and became a proud Douglass Lion. This is where she formed her love and pride in herself and for her community. She eventually graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, and attended the University of Utah. She married Otis L. Adams on June 22, 1970.

Sandra’s professional career started at Mountain Bell and Mountain Fuel. The love of music in the Adams household, guided Sandra and Otis to open their own record store and night club. Because of Sandra’s care, concern and love of her community and family, she was always looking for ways to improve other people’s lives. Sandra’s passion for service continued to grow and led her to become an advocate for people in need. Sandra was involved in many organizations, beginning with Utah Issues. Being an advocate at Utah Issues provided Sandra access to many other organizations. She eventually became the Director of the Martin Luther King Commission, she served on the board of the Governor’s Black Advisory Council, and she was the Director of the New Hope Multicultural Center; just to name a few. She worked tirelessly as a liaison between community and government, bridging gaps and lobbying for positive and effective policy. Due to her unselfish service from the heart, she was blessed with many outstanding leadership and service awards and letters of appreciation.

Sandra’s two sons, Michael and Christopher, and her grandkids were the joy of her life. Sandra had more than enough love in her heart to be a Mother and Grandma to many more and was always willing to provide words of wisdom and advice. There were many occasions where she opened her home to the children of her heart or anyone else in need. She worked hard to create a lovely, welcoming home for her family and filled it with beautiful pieces of art, representing love, beauty and cultural pride.

Sandra always made the holidays a huge event with decorations and family gatherings. She was an excellent cook and on special occasions would bring out her fine china and silverware and create a beautiful table to gather around. Sandra loved creating loving memories of laughter, sharing life stories, and providing a place for many friends and family to feel welcome on the holidays. She just wanted everyone to have a good time!

When she retired and up to her diagnosis, she was working part time at Kohl’s department store which allowed for the two most important things in her life: her family and shopping! Sandra loved to shop and would be tickled pink when she found an excellent deal or what she considered the perfect, personal gift. She would shop for her kids and grandkids all year long. Even though she had been hospitalized since November, she still had Christmas, birthday, and Father’s Day presents already purchased for her loved ones. She was a hands-on Grandmother, attending games, recitals and plays and assisting daily with her grandkids’ needs. She always wanted her grandkids to enjoy life and encouraged them to be the best they could be. She was a very proud Grandma and never missed an opportunity to share that with others.

Sandra is survived by her husband, Otis; her two sons, Michael and Christopher; her grandchildren, Jordan (Monique), Malik, Isaiah, Taviian, and Trejinn; her brothers, Walter Lewis, Jr., Glen Lewis, Ricky Lewis, and John L. Lewis; and her sisters, Norma Jean Parr, Charlotte Celistine, Pam Velasquez and Gigi Gonzalez. She is preceded in death by her mother, Lillie Flemings; her father, Walter Lewis; her step-father, Randy Flemings; her sisters, Agnes Moore, Mary Brown and Shirley Lewis; and her brothers, Robert Flemings, Dale Lewis and Jerry Lewis.

The viewing and funeral services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 1090 S. State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, July 1, 2017. The viewing will be at 11:00am and service will begin at 12:00pm, followed by a graveside procession to Mt. Olivet Cemetery located at 1342 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.