It is with great sadness that we let folks know of the death of Sandra Majors Elledge. Sandy died on Friday, October 14, 2011 in Winchester, VA after a complications from a medical procedure she had been recuperating from. She was with her daughter and son at the time of her death.
Sandra Majors Elledge, age 70, died Friday, October 14 in Winchester, Virginia. She had been ill for some time but had continued to work part time as administrator for the Episcopal Network for Economic Justice.
Before her retirement in 2007 Sandy had served in Appalachia as Executive Coordinator of Episcopal Appalachian Ministries (EAM). In that work she became known throughout the Episcopal Church as a stalwart advocate for the people of that region. She had also been a pillar of the Commission on Religion in Appalachia (CORA) and represented the Episcopal Church in that ecumenical organization for many years. In her work for EAM and CORA she worked tirelessly to support community development and service ministries in many remote sections of the mountains. She traveled all over the region and got to know many of the project leaders and was much loved wherever she went. As editor of the EAM newsletter she helped publicize the work of local ministries. She served on the board of Grace House on the Mountain in Southwestern Virginia. She provided staff support for the Working Class Ministry and Synagogy movements within the Episcopal Church and became an expert on small congregations and their ministries.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of her life was held on Saturday, October 29 at 3 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 660 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801-5819
In lieu of flowers, it was Sandy’s request that memorial contributions be made to Episcopal Appalachian Ministries, 161 E. Ravine Rd., Kingsport, TN 37660
May her soul and all the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Let light perpetual shine upon her. Amen
For a transcript and recording of an interview with Sandy by the Southern Oral History Project about her life: click here
Donate to the Sandy Elledge Memorial Fund here:
I was privileged and pleased to have known Sandy for quite a few years, when she was on the National EAM Board and was Co-ordinator of Appalachian Ministries. I knew I could count on her being both passionate and practical about ministry in Appalachia. On one occasion, she drove up to Pomeroy, Ohio, with a carload of toys to be distributed via local churches. I wasn’t able to meet that day, so Ted, my spouse, and Sandy rendezvous-ed in the church parking lot to make the transfer. At the ’09 General Convention, I filled in for her at the EAM booth because she had to return home. I did enjoy just “a-settin’ and a-rockin’” at the booth, while I handed out cookies and encouraged folks to vote for EAM support at budget hearings. When Sandy retired, she was able to continue her own leisure “settin’ and rockin’” in the rocking chair that was one of her retirement gifts. Sandy and I were dog people, too; she talked about her Westie and I filled her in on my poodle’s antics. I will miss Sandy and give thanks for everything she added to our lives.
Thanks be to God for Sandy’s ministry.
Sandy Elledge was a dear friend. Because of her, Episcopal Appalachian Ministries became a part of our lives. I was an advisor and helped out at EAM meetings in various places, including Grace House on the Mountain. In the family of the Commission on Religion in Appalachia, Sandy was always a loving person even when she did not always agree with what was going on. She deeply cared about her church and held it to a high standard to present love to a world that needed it. The years passed and I assumed she would always be just up the road and then she was gone. But I treasure the time we had together in the valleys and mountaintops of Appalachia. She touched so many.
Sandy Elledge was a very special human being. She cared deeply about her friends, the church and those in need, especially here in the Appalachian region. She was a dear friend to many at Church of the Savior, UCC, in Knoxville, TN, where EAM had office space for many years. Her witness, her presence and her friendship will be missed. The world has lost a saint in the best sense of the word – truthful, down to earth, kind, and committed to social justice toward all God’s children.
John Gill and friends at Church of the Savior, UCC