Sandra Kaye McCutcheon

Sandra Kaye McCutcheon, Née Dickerson, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana, at the age of 76. Born on June 26, 1947, in Lewisville, Texas, she is remembered by her loved ones for her warmth and kindness.

She is survived by husband, Steve; sons, Ty, and Ryan, and wife, Katie; grandchildren, Tripp, Maggie, Georgia, and Ollie.

Sandy was raised in the Arlington, Texas area and graduated from Sam Houston High School and Texas Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in education. She began her teaching career at H.M. Moore Ft Worth, where she met her future husband Steve, an active-duty Air Force Officer stationed at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. They were married on Nov. 12, 1977. When Steve left active duty in 1979, they relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana, where Steve went into the restaurant business with his two brothers. Sandy resumed her teaching career at Herndon Magnet School in Belcher, Louisiana. She was part of the original staff when the then-closed rural school was rebranded as Herndon Magnet School to support the North Shreveport area. She remained for the next 30 years. She was well known as the creator and backbone of the Herndon Discoveries Program.

The below was provided by Mrs. Brenda McDonald, retired Herndon principal and friend.

Mrs. McCutcheon took her Herndon students around the world through her teaching. She featured a different country each year, teaching students the culture, customs, foods, and geography of the land. Each year her room decor was from the featured country. When you entered her room, you entered that country. Students worked hard to qualify to be in her Discoveries classes and didn’t realize how much work they were doing because it was so much fun!

Sandy was loved by her coworkers as well as her students. On a trip with some of her Herndon family, she chose the “soap opera” name Lucy Jane for herself and it stuck! She was a friend to all and never had a crossword for anyone. When a coworker retired, Sandy made him or her a scrapbook of memories from their years at Herndon. If you needed a picture of someone, you could always get one from Sandy because she took pictures all the time. Her home was always open for staff Christmas parties and she was a graceful, attentive host. 

Sandy was also known for her collection of hats. There was a hat for every occasion. A red hat for the Red Hat Society, a sun hat for field day, a shell-trimmed hat for the beach, and hats representative of what was worn in the countries she was teaching her students to love.  

She was a beloved wife, Mother, Grandmother and Homemaker. She adored her grandchildren who spent many days and nights with her. She particularly enjoyed her trips with Steve, vacations with family, and retreats with her teacher friends. After retirement, she and Steve embarked on a 30-day cross-country adventure, in a Prius, from Shreveport to Seattle, WA, down the West Coast, and back home. Along the route, they visited national parks, took an Alaskan cruise out of Seattle, stopped in San Franciso, and hopped on the Napa Vallet Wine Train for her birthday. Once home she prepared a storybook of this adventure that has been admired by family and friends alike. She also enjoyed the many family vacations to Galveston, Panama City, Disney World, Gatlinburg, and Myrtle Beach.

She kept busy with multiple adventures with our GMC group, Herndon Alumni Group, Blanchard Lagniappe Group, her bridge partners, and doting on her grandchildren. She loved decorating the house for holidays, especially Christmas and Easter. One of her favorite events was our annual Kid Friendly Easter event with a jumpy, train rides, easter egg hunt, piñata smashing, and fish catered by Johnny’s Catfish; a tradition that began around 20 years ago, with 65 relatives and friends in attendance this past Easter.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2024 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Blanchard, Louisiana under the direction of Brother Clay Fuque and Brother Dale Sauls. A Celebration of Life and Fellowship will immediately follow the service. Those wishing to bring food, please bring your dish to the service and staff will take it to the Fellowship Hall. Interment Monday, July 8, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. at the VA Cemetery, Keithville, Louisiana, under the direction of Bro. Wayne Dubose.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vina Williams (25 Apr 1926 – 18 Apr 2009), Harlan “Sleepy” Dickerson (22 July 1919 – 12 Oct 1951); Stepdad, Robert A William, and brother, Danny Williams age 32 (26 July 1955 – 3 Feb 1987.

Condolences may be emailed to smccutcheon@att.net

Memorials in her name may be made to: Children and Arthritis, Inc. P.O. Box 38328 Shreveport, LA 71133