Sandra Gene McDonald Clowes Decatur
Memorial services for Sandra Gene McDonald Clowes, 68, of Decatur will be today, August 7, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Steven Arndt officiating. Visitation with family will be after the service at the church.
Sandy Clowes died peacefully surrounded by her family Thursday, August 5, 2010, at Huntsville Hospital, after a recent heart attack. She had also been fighting breast cancer since her diagnosis earlier this year. She was born on February 16, 1942, in Santa Cruz, Calif., to Paul Laughlin McDonald and Marvis Lyle Campbell McDonald. She graduated from The University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Sociology in 1963 and from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1999 with a Master of Social Work. Sandy moved to Decatur in 1984, when she married Edward Cooper Clowes. She worked for the Department of Human Resources in Morgan County for the past 25 years advocating for the safety and welfare of the children of Alabama. She worked as a social worker and supervisor for the last 15 years. She served on the Board of Directors of United Way of Morgan County, most recently as its chair. She has also served on the boards of directors of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Morgan County, PACT of Morgan County and the Hands Home. She was actively involved with, and a strong supporter of the American Association of University Women. Most of all, she loved the time she was able to spend with her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 24 1/2 years, Edward Cooper Clowes and her stepdaughter, Carrie Clowes. Survivors include three children, Dr. James Crawford-Jakubiak of Oakland, Calif., husband of Dr. Martin Crawford-Jakubiak, John Crawford of Los Angeles, husband of Janet Lee Crawford, and Kimberly Crawford of Madison, wife of Daniel Whitcomb; three step-daughters, Cassondra Sellers, wife of Michael Sellers, Theresa King, wife of Greg King, both of Atlanta, and Catherine Lott, wife of Michael Lott of Chattanooga, Tenn.; one brother, Michael McDonald of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and one sister, Pamela McDonald of Hopkinton, N.H.; five grandchildren, Stephen Arnsparger, Christian Arnsparger, Sarah Arnsparger, Kane Crawford-Jakubiak and Muriel Crawford-Jakubiak; three step-grandchildren, Sam Lott, Emily Lott and Nathan Sellers; six nieces and nephews and seven grandnieces and nephews. She is beloved by all her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be sent to F.A.C.E.S., P.O. Box 964, Decatur, AL 35602, the United Way of Morgan County or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation . Sandy cared passionately about the health, safety and welfare of all children, from all families. She is loved by countless people, and will be missed more than we can say.