FAYETTEVILLE — Sandra Shipp Carlisle

died peacefully on March 24, 2024. Sandra was born in Shawnee, Okla. on September 29, 1932. She grew up in Tulsa and then moved to Hot Springs, Ark. with her sister and mother.

After living in Little Rock, Sandra and Marshall moved to Fayetteville in 1965 where they raised their daughters Kim, Sandy, and Leslie. She said the greatest time of her life was when she was raising her three girls.

Sandra was actively involved in the Episcopal church as an organist, choir member, and volunteer. She adored playing bridge with lifelong friends and was giddy winning “pennies” when she had great cards. Her love of birds and animals, especially her dogs, was great and she donated to animal causes often. Traveling, musicals, and crossword puzzles were also passions she held dear.

Sandra was a strong, spunky, independent woman and loved by many. She worked as the director of Fayetteville’s Housing and Urban Development office, then became the office manager of Washington County’s Prosecuting Attorney’s office. She was a diehard Democrat and was proud to have worked on Bill Clinton’s gubernatorial and presidential campaigns.

Sandra is preceded in death by her parents Claude and Clover Gibson, her sonin-law Sam Ratliff, and her grandson Christopher Ernst. She is survived by her sister Clover Ann Orfanos; her daughters Kim Ratliff and her children Brooke, Erin, Annie, and Peter; Sandy Aldern and husband Sam and their children Ezra, Jared, and Jackson; and Leslie Benson and husband Scott and their daughters Vanessa and Morgan; as well as her 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Sandra will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A service will be held at 3 p.m. on April 9, 2024 at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 North East Avenue in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church music.