Cassandra "Sandy" Mignon Whitledge, 73, formerly of Jackson, passed away Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, at Diversified Health Care in Martin, Tennessee.

Cassandra Mignon LaPierre was born Jan. 12, 1943, in Cape Girardeau to Charles and Barbara Unger LaPierre. She married Gary Whitledge on Jan. 22, 1966. They were married for 43 years.

Gary survives, along with two brothers, Darryl (Judy) LaPierre of St. Marys, Kansas, and Bruce (Susan) LaPierre of Jackson. She is survived by a daughter, Amy Gammon of Jackson; a son, Dr. Joshua (Allison) Whitledge of Martin; grandchildren, Austin Gammon of Martin, Sarah Gammon of Jackson and Reagan and Drew Whitledge, both of Martin; and many nieces and nephews. Cassandra intensely loved her family.

She graduated from Jackson High School in 1961 and received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1967. One of her many proud accomplishments was teaching a self-contained classroom of third-grade students in the Fox School District in Arnold, Missouri. This was an experience she enjoyed sharing with others for most of her life. She abbreviated her teaching career to raise her family, but found time to substitute teach and tutor students in Arnold, Phoenix and Jackson until health issues made it impossible for her to continue.

Besides her love for teaching and instruction, Sandy was creative and artistically talented. She found beauty in nature and utilized the flowers and plants in their natural state for decoration and accent. Many wild plants, berries, nuts and vines were subject to become a part of a beautiful display to be gifted to a friend, acquaintance, her children's teacher or for display in her own home.

While raising her children, she continued her artistry by restoring a turn-of-the-20th-century rustic farm house. She spent weekends completely renovating the house and turning it into what some called a "dollhouse." She enjoyed the whole process, from hanging wallpaper, laying flooring, rebuilding the fireplace and sewing pillows to shopping for antique furniture and fixtures. It was quite an undertaking, but she enjoyed every minute of it. It was a marvelous show piece and even was published in a newspaper.

Sandy's love and concern for animals and their care was as boundless as her creativity. She loved animals, especially dogs. She lovingly rescued many shelter pets in her lifetime and supported the Humane Society through donations of money and of her time.

As many of those close to her will attest, Sandy was also a terrific baker and cook. Dinners at home always included all four food groups and a delicious dessert she made from scratch. Sandy loved her family and friends dearly. Those who were close to her were blessed to have known her. Although she is greatly missed, it is very comforting to know she is healthy and rejoicing with her Heavenly Father.

Sandy will be remembered with a visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral services officiated by the Rev. Ken Harper will follow immediately, with interment at Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association, National Institute of Mental Health or Humane Society of Southeast Missouri are welcomed.

Sympathy messages may be made at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.