Sandra Lynn (Dixson) Hanna

Sandra Lynn Dixson Hanna was welcomed into the loving arms of her Lord Jesus on February 25, 2022.  We are assured of this incredible meeting because of Sandra’s deep and abiding faith in her Savior and putting her trust fully and faithfully in Him.

Sandra was born March 11, 1953, in Fort Worth, Texas to Gordon and Berniece Dixson. In 1958 at the age of 5, her family moved to Amarillo, where she remained the rest of her life. She graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1970 and attended Amarillo College.

The driving forces in Sandra’s life were her faith, her family and her friends. Her faith was placed in Jesus Christ at a very young age, and she spent her life pointing others to the Lord and sharing the Good News.  Sandra belonged to Second Baptist Church since she was 5 and was involved in GA’s, ceramics, choir, praise team, Awana’s and taught Sunday school for more than 45 years. Most of the 45 years was spent teaching 3rd grade and she made sure that every child that came through her class could memorize and say all the books of the Bible. Sandra shared her musical talents in church as well, often singing solos or leading others in song as a part of the praise team. Sandra’s own children watched her daily studying the Word and were always encouraged to pray about every situation. Her impact for the Kingdom is great and we are confident she heard “well done good and faithful servant” when she entered Heaven.

Sandra’s family meant the world to her. She met Gary Hanna when she sat behind him in a high school English class, and they married August 20, 1971. For 50 years they have been side-by-side working hard and raising a family.  She adored her son, Rusty and daughter, Lacie. She was incredibly proud of them and would talk about them to anyone who would listen.  She was the devoted mom that dropped everything for her kids and attended every single event or program.  As her children got married, she loved the spouses as though they were her own.  And then being “MiMi” to Jarett, Kye, Preston and Avery was a true joy for her. She did her best to attend anything they were a part of and cheer them on.  She was especially proud to see the faith in God she experienced begin to grow in her grandchildren.

Most of her friends came through her work and church.  She was a loyal friend who loved and valued others.  Sandra worked as the Director of Records and Information Management at Potter County. Her career there began in July of 1973. She became a founding member of the Amarillo-Tejas Chapter of the Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA) in 1988. Throughout her entire professional career as Potter County Records Manager, she continued to lead the local ARMA Chapter and serve as its foundational keystone. She was instrumental in mentoring countless rookies in the field of records management. Sandra was a leader, an encourager, a mentor and a friend to many, not only in the Amarillo area, but throughout Texas and the U.S. Sandra earned the designation of Certified Records Manager in 1997. She retired in 2021 after more than four decades of faithful service.

Sandra is survived by her devoted husband, Gary Hanna of Amarillo, son, Rusty Hanna (and Jenessa) of Coppell, TX, daughter, Lacie McDowell (and Jeff) of Amarillo, TX, grandchildren; Jarett McDowell, Kye McDowell, Preston Hanna, and Avery Hanna. Other survivors include Sandra’s sister, Kim Brawley (and Richard) of Liberal, KS, brother-in-law, Richard Burdett (and Charlotte) of Amarillo and sister-in-law, Lana Dixson of Jacksonville, FL along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Sandra was preceded in death by a daughter, Shonci Lynn Hanna, Sandra’s parents, Gordon and Berniece Dixson, siblings Pat Burdett and Bill Dixson and her in-laws, Russell and Leota Hanna.

A time of visitation will take place Tuesday evening, March 1st from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Home (8310 S. Coulter St).

A service to celebrate Sandra’s life will be held at 2:oo p.m. on Wednesday, March 2nd at Second Baptist Church  (419 N Buchanan St).

Sandra would truly want this to be a celebration of life as she knew exactly where she was going and was excited to be there.  She would want you to be sure you know where you are going as well. “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will praise you for as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:3-4