Sandra L Payton

Sandra (Sandy) Payton, 69, of Grand Island passed away at home with her family by her side, Friday, March 20, 2020. She had battled Multiple Sclerosis for 45 years. A private burial took place at the Fullerton Cemetery. A memorial service will be Saturday March 20, 2021 at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the National Multiple Sclerosis society or to the family to be designated later.



Sandra was born April 5, 1950 in Palmer, NE to Vernon and Ruby (Jennings) Cox. She lived in Palmer until she graduated in 1968. She attended University of Nebraska at Lincoln.



On April 5, 1970, Sandy married Richard (Dick) Payton. They were married on her 20th birthday and would have celebrated 50 years this April. Dick and Sandy settled in Fullerton, NE in 1983, where they raised their three children. They retired to Grand Island in 2008.



Sandy worked at several health care facilities as a medication aid. She loved to care for others. Sandy was a loving wife and dedicated mother. She was a strong woman who had a positive attitude and always had a smile on her face. She did not let Multiple Sclerosis get her down. She treated everyone well and never had an unkind word for anyone. She enjoyed cooking for her family and brought her children breakfast in bed most mornings before school. She was named Betty Crocker Homemaker of the year in 1968. She especially enjoyed watching her grandkids and great grandkids grow up and was so proud of their accomplishments.



Sandy's hobbies included gardening and canning, cross stitch and sewing, crossword puzzles, playing Mah Jong and reading. Sandy and Dick took many trips to Las Vegas to get away and relax.



Sandy is survived by her husband Dick, of Grand Island, NE; daughters, Amber (Troy) Mack of Archer, NE and Crystal (Timmy) Bell of Grand Island, NE; 11 grandchildren, Derek Mack, Nicholas Mack, Jacob Mack, Alexis (Payton) Yepez, Tressa Payton, Jayden Payton, Savanah (Bell) Pfeifer, Tyler Friedrichsen, Jacob Bell, Cheyenne Bell and Leo Bell; five great grandchildren, Samuel Yepez, Dean Yepez, Gannon Bell, Mia Pfeifer, and Sebastian Perez; daughter-in-law, Bobbie Tweedy of Grand Island; sisters-in-law, Vicki Gravitt, of Omaha, NE, Kathy (Richard) Galusha, of Central City, NE; brother in law Floyd (Becky) Payton of Tulsa, OK; and many nieces and nephews.



Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, a son-in-law, Larry Friedrichsen; and her only son; James Payton.