Obituaries
Sandra Gallops Neighbors
Sandra Gallops Neighbors, 75, died on December 3, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born on October 13, 1948, the daughter of Mary Catherine and Horton Gallops, and lived in the Hanover community of Coosa County. She was a beloved wife, mother, Nanny, sister, aunt, and friend.
She’ll be missed terribly by her two children, Phillip (Lynsey) of Wetumpka and Heather Thompson (Matt) of Birmingham. She poured so much love and kindness into them, it will carry on forever. She filled their lives with memories of summer days spent at Hatchet Creek, magical Christmases, and treasured family vacations. She took great pride and delight in their good. She was a remarkable mother.
She was adored by her grandchildren, John and Langley, and was always up for any adventure they could dream up. Some of her favorite days were spent with the grandkids, spending fun-filled days at “Nanny camp” – always willing to really PLAY with them. She taught them to play marbles, cooked with them, made silly videos, filling their time together with JOY. She loved them so dearly, choosing to spend her final months living with them, so that she could hear about their days at school and watch them grow up. She was also Nanny to the Davidson boys, teaching them all how to play a mean game of Rook and spoiling them with their favorite treats when they came to visit.
She worked for the Coosa County Highway Department for 20 years, and prior to that, Hanover Equipment, where she made friends that lasted a lifetime.
She was a member of Andrew’s Chapel Methodist Church, where she was an active member for many years, leading youth groups and singing in the choir.
Her love for her family and community were evident in all she did. She radiated joy from an inner light and strength that was unmatched. She made every person she met feel cherished and known.
Sandra was preceded in death by her parents and her dear husband, George, and her brother, Robert. She is mourned by her sister, Catherine Shockley.
A visitation will be held at Curtis and Son Funeral Home in Sylacauga on Friday, December 8, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A service to celebrate her life will be held at Andrew’s Chapel Methodist Church in Hanover at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 9.
Memorial donations can be made to: Andrew’s Chapel Methodist Church; c/o Beverly Bass; 2310 Coaling Road; Sylacauga, AL 35151; or Sears Chapel Cemetery Trust Fund; c/o Karen McEwen; 4235 Jackson Trace Road; Titus, AL 36080.
Curtis and Son Funeral Home North Chapel will direct the service.
Margie Nell Catchings Wingard
Mrs. Margie Nell Catchings Wingard, of Sylacauga, was born December 7, 1932. She passed away December 4, 2023, at Coosa Valley Medical Center in Sylacauga at the age of 90.
Mrs. Wingard is survived by her son, Rick Wingard and wife, Susan, of Spanish Fort; her daughter, Tina Fleaman and husband, Bradley, of Sylacauga; her sister, JoAnn Malone of Farmington, N.M.; her three beloved grandchildren, B.J. Fleaman and wife Aly, of Woodstock, Georgia, Blake Fleaman of Bremerton, Washington, and Brett Taylor and husband Dudley, of Phenix City; her two great-granddaughters, Henley Fleaman and Parker Fleaman; and many cousins. Mrs. Wingard is preceded in death by her dear husband, Richard Wingard.
A graveside service for Mrs. Wingard was held Thursday, December 7, 2023, at the Rockford Cemetery located in Rockford. Reverend Rodney Frost officiated.
Margie was born and raised in Rockford, where she graduated from Rockford High School in 1951. She was active in the 4H Club and excelled with showing beef calves. In 1955, she graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. She continued her education, earning a masters degree from the University of Montevallo in 1975, and an A.A. degree from UAB in 1979. Over her 38-year career in education, she taught thousands of Sylacauga children at Comer Elementary School, Main Avenue Elementary School, and Indian Valley Elementary School. In 1979, she was chosen, from a large field of the nominees, as the Alabama Teacher of the Year and inducted into the Alabama Teachers Hall of Fame. She retired from teaching in 1994. For over 30 years, she was an active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa honorary teaching sorority, where she organized many altruistic projects, one of which provided hand-sewn teddy bears to children in Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.
In July of 1954 she married her childhood sweetheart, Richard Arlin Wingard. During their 56 years together they enjoyed numerous trips to Europe, Central America, and Canada. Margie’s children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. She and Richard took delight in taking them on cross-country adventures visiting state parks and monuments.
Margie’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Sylacauga Health & Rehab, CVMC’s ER, ICU, and 2nd floor, and Coosa Valley Hospice for providing excellent care for her in her later years and this past week. Everyone at both facilities were not only professional and thorough, but more importantly they were kind, compassionate, loving, caring, and giving. The dignity they showed her did not go unnoticed!
Margie’s love for children was an integral part of who she was. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to one of the following non-profit organizations that was important to her and her legacy. (Please note “Margie Wingard” when donating.)
Children’s Hospital of Alabama, B.B. Comer Memorial Library in Sylacauga, or A.C.E.S. (Alabama Cooperative Extension System – 4H); P. O. Box 247; Rockford, AL 35136.
