Sandra “Sandy” Mildred Cucumber, 63, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord Monday, April 15, 2019. She passed away unexpectedly in Oklahoma City, Okla. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Joe Jasper Cucumber Sr. and Dorothy Welch Cucumber. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by one son, Jeffrey Paul Saunooke; and three brothers, Daniel Monroe Cucumber, Joe Jasper Cucumber Jr., and Alfred Mark Cucumber.
She is survived by one son, Jimbo Wilson and his four children, Cory Wilson Lambert, Dustin, Christian, and Summer; a daughter-in-law, Lystia Saunooke; a special grandson, Joseph Perry Saunooke; a special step-son, Jody Saunooke and children; two sisters, Pam Cucumber and family and Erma McMillian and family both of Cherokee; two brothers, Dino Cucumber and family of Cherokee, and David Garth Berky and family of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and many special nieces and nephews also survived.
She was a faithful member of Yellow Hill Baptist Church where she served as Sunday School Teacher, Choir Leader, and participated in Church activities serving others. Sandy loved gospel music and loved to sing. Her beautiful alto voice will be missed. Sandy also served as secretary of the Cherokee Baptist Missionary Association. She obtained a Bachelor Degree in child and family studies from Western Carolina University while being employed at the Qualla Boundary Head Start. Sandy retired after 33 years of employment with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26 at Yellow Hill Baptist Church. Revs. Foreman Bradley and James “Bo” Parris will officiate with burial at Jeffery Paul Saunooke Memorial Cemetery at 1062 Sherrill Cove Rd. in the Big Cove Community.
Sandy will be taken back to Yellow Hill Baptist Church at 5 p.m. on Thursday April 25, 2019 to await the hour of service.
Pallbearers will be among family and friends.