Sandy Turner

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Sandra Sue “Sandy” Turner, age 68, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Joplin, Missouri. She was born March 26, 1954, in Springfield, Missouri, to the late Donald and Evalena (Tutor) Nelson. 

The baby in her family, Sandy grew up in Marionville, Missouri where she was spoiled by her parents and her siblings Larry, Leon, and Donna. 

She was a 1972 graduate of Marionville High School and then obtained a certification to become an X-Ray Technician. Sandy was a free spirit and always lived life on her own terms, so shortly after she graduated, she packed her car with all of her belongings and drove to South Florida, where her three daughters were born over the years. 

She loved spending time at the beach, going to concerts, dancing, reading, scrapbooking, spending time at the lake, and having friends over to listen to music or play games. She was fun-loving and always looking for her next adventure. 

She lived in five different states over the years – Missouri, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma – but she eventually moved to Neosho to be near family.

Survivors include her three daughters and their spouses: Shannon and Jeff Johnson of Shawnee, Kansas, Cassie and Josh Sours of Arvada, Colorado, and Ashley and Matthew Sampson of Neosho; one sister, Donna Combs of Springfield, Missouri; and ten grandchildren: Aidan, Taylor, Connor, Parker, Clara, Madison, Waylon, Summer, Nakita and Cooper. She also leaves behind many close friends, cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members.

In addition to her parents, her two brothers, Larry and Leon Nelson, and brother-in-law, Harold Combs, preceded her in death.

Sandy was the life of the party and had an outgoing and bubbly personality. She did not want her friends and family to remember her with sadness, so she did not want a formal memorial service. Sandy did not want to say “goodbye” but instead “see you later,” and her family is working on planning a party to celebrate her life in the coming weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Greater Kansas City Spinal Cord Injury Association would be appreciated.