Sandra Jean Strickland Tigrett

Sandra Jean Strickland Tigrett passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, at her residence in Bunnlevel. She just turned 74 years old. The family is deeply saddened. Sandra was born on July 14, 1951 in Sanford, NC and grew up on The Rockefeller Plantation, Harnett County, NC.

Sandra was predeceased by her father and mother, William (Bill) Strickland and Helen Mason Strickland. She was also predeceased by her brother William (Bryant) Strickland. She took an active role in the lives of her family on always sharing advice on life skills. She loved her mother and father dearly.

Sandra is survived and missed by her loving husband Jerald (Jerry) Ray Tigrett of 28 years; Sandra is survived by daughter Cari (Nicole) Cummings husband Phillip Odom, and their children surviving as Sandra’s grandchildren, Katlin (Kayla) Beck, age 25, Emily Patterson, age 22, Mason Odom, age 6 and Grayson Odom, age 5. Sandra had one son, William Samuel (David) Cummings, who passed in 2020, his children surviving as Sandra’s grandchildren, Michael (Tito) Cummings, age 31, Brittany Nicole Cummings, age 29, and Brandon Cummings, age 22. She has one stepchild, Samantha Layton, and husband Donnie, their child surviving as one grandchild Scott Layton, age 22.

Sandra is survived by 8 great grandchildren, Halle Rhea Cummings, age 9, Jaxson Reid Cummings, age 7, Kenzie Aerabella Dunning, age 9, Case Remington Butler, age 2, Colt Benjamin Butler, age 1, Brantley Thomas Heflin, age 4, Brewer Lee Heflin, age 2, and Baylor Lee Heflin, age 2 months old.

Her memory lives on her husband’s side: Sheldon and Theresa McWilliams, Randy Tigrett and wife Sandy, Cheryl Tigrett, Brenda Layton and Husband Jim, and Sylvia Bennett.

She will be forever cherished and remembered by her extended family of: Ray and Carolyn Mason, Johnny and Linda Holder, and Brenda Holder, Lin and Jennifer Cummings. Her memory will also be cherished by her friends from high school, Jayne and Dwight West, Tim and Theresa Rhoe, and Benny Barefoot.

Sandra was raised on the Rockefeller Plantation in Harnett County, NC, which gave her many memories that most could not even imagine. Sandra farmed tobacco with her family younger in life, graduated high school at Anderson Creek, later went on to retire from Trion and then retired again from Caterpillar in Sanford, NC.

Sandra had an unquenchable thirst for gardening and sewing. She spent her spare time making beautiful quilts and pillows, and anything that her heart desired she could make with her hands! She enjoyed watching Law and Order! Sandra and her husband Jerry enjoyed going on road trips in their RV and they made many good memories the last few years with her husband.

Sandra had very strong values and sometimes could be bold and stern! She absolutely adored her grandchildren. Her legacy will carry on forever reminding us how much she loved!

After graduating from high school, she moved to Chicago, IL then moved back to Harnett County, NC, marrying David and Cari’s father, Sammy Lee Cummings, starting her life in Sanford, NC. After Sammy’s passing, she met her now husband of 28 years, Jerry Tigrett. Together, they moved to Denton, MD for Jerry’s employer, and eventually came home to care for her mother Helen Strickland. They purchased a home in Bunnlevel, NC and have remained ever since. Sandra and Jerry worked together at Caterpillar before retiring. Some of her greatest joy came from her grandchildren. They created many memories while enjoying trips as a family. Visiting Maine, New York, California, Mount Sawana, NC.

She attended many of the grandchildren’s activities to cheer them on from the side lines, from football, to basketball, to soccer, to cheerleading, to many events for Michael and Brittany’s high school graduation to special ceremonies for her daughter’s College graduation in Virginia, to her grandson, Michael and Scott’s Air Force Basic Training in Texas. She always wanted them to know she was proud of them and cheer them on as much as possible.

She took an active role in the grandchildren’s lives by teaching Emily how to sew and about flowers and to teach Kayla how to do various crafts and gardening. From teaching all her children and grandchildren to try to control their anger and temper! She loved to spend time taking the grandchildren for ice cream treats or to McDonalds. She always wanted to help others.

Lastly, there are no words that can express how grateful and blessed we are to our family and neighbors who were there for us before her passing. Also, a heartfelt thank you Gentiva for doing everything they could to help keep her comfortable.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:45 PM, Thursday, August 14, 2025, at O’Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home in Lillington. A funeral service will follow at 8:00 PM in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Terry Williams officiating, previously with Spring Hill Church, Lillington, NC. Rev. Williams is now with Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church., Spring Hope, NC. Rev. Williams is a much respected and great friend to the family.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake.

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