Sandra Love Bearden

Sandra Love Bearden, age 82, of Lubbock passed away on July 10, 2024. A viewing will be held on Monday July 22, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Ackerly, with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. Reverend Stan Blevins will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Fairhaven Cemetery in Ackerly.

Sandra was born on March 19, 1942, in Lamesa, Texas, to Vesper and Euna Love. She was the youngest of five children. Sandra was raised in Midway, Texas and attend school in Lamesa, where she graduated as a Golden Tornado. After graduation, she attended Howard County Junior College, where she received her associates degree.

Sandra married Derrell Bearden of Ackerly on June 1, 1962, and they started their life together in Big Spring, Texas where she was an executive assistant for years. In 1965, they moved to Ackerly where Derrell started farming and Sandra managed the household. Once her children were older, Sandra opened a ceramic shop where many friends gathered to craft and visit. After her children graduated high school Sandra worked for the USDA Cotton Classing Office. During this time, she helped lead this office to be one of the highest rated USDA classifying offices within the system. Sandra also started breeding and showing Coton du Tulears. This quickly became one of Sandra and Derrell’s favorite pastimes as they enjoyed traveling with their puppies and attending dog shows. She especially loved taking her granddaughter Rachel to shows and entering her in the junior class and sharing their love for dogs. She was also the Founder and first President of the North American Coton Association. Sandra was instrumental in the development of the Coton de Tulear breed in the U.S. Her Coton peers say that she left a legacy that will be remembered and honored for years to come.

Sandra and Derrell have two children, Melinda (Carlos) Rainwater of Southlake, and Leland (Staci) Bearden of Lubbock. Carlos and Melinda have two children Rachel Rainwater of Dallas, Texas, and Reagan (Hannah) Rainwater of Aledo, TX. Leland and Staci also have two children Bethani and Brennan Bearden of Lubbock. Sandra fiercely loved her family and absolutely adored her grandchildren. She was so supportive of all their dreams and was proud of their accomplishments. She always said if she had known how grand grandchildren were, she might have skipped straight to that phase.

Sandra is survived by her children Melinda (Carlos) Rainwater and Leland (Staci) Bearden and her grandchildren Rachel Rainwater, Reagan (Hannah) Rainwater, Bethani Bearden, and Brennan Bearden. Sandra is also survived by her brother and sister in-law Donald and Jeanne Love and her sister in-law Dorothy Love.

She was preceded in death by her husband Derrell, father and mother Vesper and Euna Love, siblings Dorothy Kidd, Howard Love, and Wayne Love.

The family would like to express their gratitude to her caregivers, especially Terri, who allowed her to live independently after the passing of her husband.

Prior to her death, Sandra had the longest tenure of any member at The First Baptist Church. She dearly loved her church and church family. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in her honor to the First Baptist Church of Ackerly.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Big Spring. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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