Sandra Cook Gossett

Gossett, Sandra Cook was born in Knoxville Feb. 16, 1948, the eldest to Edward and Dottie Cook. In June 2004, Sandy became a rare survivor of a typically fatal ?type one aortic dissection?. Her courage over the years and this miraculous survival and recovery led her cardiologist to remark, ?Sandy Gossett possesses the strongest constitution of any human I have ever known? Sandy and Don were married for 36 years rich in experiences, travels and memories. To Don she was always the most interesting, exciting and most beautiful creation from among all of God?s glorious works. She boldly but humbly embraced eternity with God and those of faith gone before, Wed., March 16, ?05 of complications resulting from that dissection. Sandy earned straight A?s from first grade to Valedictorian of Knoxville South High class of ?66. She was always a leader and a thinker. Her opinions were crafted with uncommon good sense. A Senior Superlative, Homecoming Queen, cheerleader, Teen Board Member, Key Club Sweetheart and first runner-up in Knoxville?s Junior Miss Pageant, her exterior beauty and bearing was exceeded by her loving spirit and quality of character that influenced and inspired all who knew her. Her mother-in-law frequently spoke of Sandy saying,? the fragrant beauty of her presence fills the room and lingers long after her passing?. Graduating in English from UT, she was an expert in the mechanics of the English language. Don never wrote a memo he didn?t first e-mail to her for editing and this is the first he?s written without her. When Don was a General?s Aide she was elected to a senior position in the Officer?s Wives Club. Her passion for volunteer work earned her the title of Mrs. Lieutenant at Fort Ord. She was striking and impressive, yet humble, approachable and loved by all. Sandy added to a phenomenal memory an intellectual brilliance stoked by her voracious reading habits, which made her formidable at ?Trivial Pursuit? or any other pursuit. While retaining her inquisitive, independent thought processes she outgrew any vestiges of hollow, empty values of extreme feminism and liberalism. She returned to her conservative Christian pro-life roots with a passion and a capacity to defend her beliefs far beyond mere competence. She was solid of character, confident in her judgments, and a woman of uncompromising principles, yet with a compelling sense of humor, quick wit and boundless sense of adventure. She was as good at listening to people and discerning their heart as she was in engaging with them to creatively exercise her gift of graciously offering sound guidance. She was someone that you always looked forward to and never tired of being with. Upon the passing of her beloved and respected father, Sandy set about her Mom?s remaining years to leave nothing undone. They traveled extensively together, becoming the very best of girlfriends. Together in Orlando, Sandy, her husband, Don and her mom were a perpetual loving threesome, an unrivaled, God honoring family love affair. Sandy?s most valued possessions were in this order: First, her soul destined for Heaven to spend eternity with her creator; secondly, a marriage that she and Don invested themselves in daily; third, her family with whom she shared genuine love, her faith family (church friends) and friends in general. Fourth, her company and fellow employees at Attorneys? Title Insurance Fund; and finally her books, her mind, and her memories. Sandy leaves her life well lived. Anxiously waiting to join her in addition to Don is Sandy?s brother in Knoxville, Tom and wife Lisa, with nieces, Angie, Kayla, Koral and nephew Tony. Sandy?s sisters and brothers-in-law, Charlotte and Don Holt of Jasper, GA and Theresa and Ralph Carnathan of Knoxville could not be closer had they all shared the same mother. This is likely because they all share the same loving relationship with a powerful, life changing Heavenly Father. Many nieces and nephews, children of Charlotte and Theresa, too numerous to mention are all very strong and productive today, all blessed by God and many with families of their own. They are well served by the example of this loving family to which Sandy meant so much, and to which her contributions were so many. And now, here?s to Sandy who will be missed and long remembered because the sweet spiritual fragrance of her presence has filled us all and will linger with us long after her passing. The Knoxville Memorial for this incredible woman is Saturday April 2nd, at First Baptist Church Seymour, Chapman Highway and SR 411. Visitation starts at 1 PM and carries forward through a Prelude delivered by Beverly Kerr, Sara Gass and Mark Matthews, starting at 2 p.m. The service starting at 2:45 p.m. will feature Rev. Dan Hayden of Orlando. Rev. Hayden, featured on WRJZ AM 620 radio is a graduate of DTS, long time pastor and currently Director of the Scriptorium at Holy Land Experience, Orlando. Following a short committal service at Prospect Baptist Cemetery, the combined classes of South and East High Class of ?66 will gather for a combined reunion and wake for Sandy, location TBD. The public is invited to this joyous celebration of Sandy?s remarkable life well lived. Arrangements by Berry Funeral Home (865) 577-6666.