Sandra Sue Smith Carr passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024. She hated being sick and battled health problems from Polio from age 1-12, but she went on to live a full and incredible life.

Sandy, who was always passionate about science, went to work when she was 15 at the Aurora Community Hospital in the laboratory. She spent her summers at Taylor Health Clinic on the SMS campus and with Dr. Harold George in Mt. Vernon. She then went on to work for Missouri Department of Health Public Health as a microbiologist in the laboratory in Springfield form Aug. 24, 1964 to Dec. 1998. In the meantime, she married Harry B. Carr from December 1974 to July 26, 2009 upon his death in Springfield from heart problems.

Sandy was a graduate of Aurora High School. She earned a Bachelors and Master's degree from Drury University in Springfield, MO. And a counseling degree under Dr. Bill Glassor in Berkeley, CA based in Kansas City, MO. During her work as a microbiologist with the Department of Heath she traveled to Europe twice. The first trip was to finish her Bachelor's degree in London, and the second to work in labs in 5 countries and interview with World Health Organizations (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland which was conducted entirely in French which Sandy spoke fluently.

Beyond professional accomplishments Sandy was a lifelong fan of Cardinals baseball and loved to talk about sports, a love she inherited from her father. After her retirement she dedicated much of her time to volunteer work. She spent many years working with the Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks alongside Harry. She also knit prayer shawls, scarves, and other items to be donated to those in need. She had a vibrant personality that put a smile on the face of everyone that met her.

Sandy had several great loves beginning with Jesus Christ and her husband Harry Carr. She is survived by sisters Shirley McCullick and Libby LaGarce and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Trooper Lewis and Bettie Smith. Her last years were made liveable by sisters Shirley and Libby who gave of themselves. She will be missed dearly by all that knew her.

Sandy also had many friends, including her lifelong girl friends from age 11 until her passing. They are Mary Alice Hazfeld Jones, Eva Ann Werdein Stephens, Martha Ellen Loving Rogers, Martha French Rees, and the late Martha Lee Taylor Ragland. Her "Saturday Six" girl friends were all held dearly in her heart until her last days.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home with service immediately after at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Spring River Cemetery in Verona, MO

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Southwest Missouri Humane Society in Sandy's memory.