Sandra Withrow Smith

Sandra Withrow Smith, age 85, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, in Rome, Ga.

Sandra was born in Rome on January 20, 1936, to the late S. A. Austin and Jen Lou Stitcher Austin. She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Withrow and her second husband T. F. Smith and brother Lamar Oliver (Poker).

Sandra was raised in the Shannon, Ga. Mill Village and graduated from Model High School in 1954. She received her Bachelor of Education degree from Georgia Teachers College in Statesboro, Georgia in 1958 and her Master’s degree from the University of Georgia. During her 30 year tenure in the education field, Sandra taught Physical Education, English, girls high school basketball coach (Tift County High School) and principal at Northside Elementary in Tifton, Ga. Sandra retired in 1989 and returned to Rome to care for her mother and brother. She was a member of Piedmont Avenue Baptist Church in Rockmart, Georgia. She enjoyed travelling especially cruises, working word search puzzles, attending Model High basketball games, and was an avid Duke Blue Devils basketball fan. Sandra was a very special mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She never met a stranger and lending a helping hand without being asked.

Sandra is survived by twin daughters Debbie Withrow Oliver (Walt) of Rome, and Jennie Withrow Highland (Emmett) of Peachtree City, GA; three grandchildren, Cole Oliver, Madison Highland and Conor Highland; sister Vanita Holden (Jimmy) of Rome, and a niece, Tracey Helton (Wayne) also of Rome, great-nephew, Brent Helton (Whitney) of Orange, Texas and great-niece, Megan Hufstetler (Brian) of Calhoun, Ga.

A Gathering of Friends for Sandra will be held Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Salmon Funeral Home from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m.

A private family service will be held later.

The staff of Salmon Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Sandra Withrow Smith.