Sandra Hall Allums Draughon

Sandra Hall Allums Draughon was born to Ruth and Howard Hall of Denver, Colorado October 12, 1940. She graduated from East High School and attended Colorado State University. From 1960-1966 she fulfilled her dream of becoming a stewardess for United Airlines. According to Sandy, "You had to have your hair above your collar, be very well groomed, slim, trim, and ready to serve!" She enjoyed traveling from coast to coast and living in NY, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. Back then you could not be married and be a stewardess, so even though she enjoyed every minute of her time with United Airlines when she met Rush Allums, it was time to have her “wings clipped”. They married in April 1966 and lived in Little Rock, Arkansas. When Rush was transferred to Shreveport, La. in December 1967, Sandy prematurely gave birth to twins, Kathryn (Kathy) and Christopher (Chris). Sandy said, "I was told by the doctors I had to leave the babies for 31 days in the hospital because they were preemies. So, my best friend since childhood, Carol Ludwig Keys, and her husband Carl filled in the role as parents while I moved our belongings to Shreveport." Once down in Shreveport with the "new job" as a homemaker and full-time mother she productively busied herself with attending to her children and becoming involved with Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, PEO, DAR, and PTA. In February of 1976 Sandy's husband Rush, died of a massive heart attack. That night they called the fire department, and several firemen came to help. After Rush's death, the firemen came by to check on them. Over a period of a year one fireman continued to check in on the family. That fireman was Jim Draughon. On a Sunday in October 1977 Sandy and Jim were married after the morning worship service. Sandy served in a number of roles at the church, from painting murals, assisting with youth functions, serving as president of Women of the Church, organizing women's retreats both locally and for the Synod, and faithfully as an Elder. In 1987 when the opportunity opened to work for the Glen Retirement System as Patient Activities Coordinator, she took it and found her second dream job! She worked with residents to bring about programs for every season and every occasion to educate, exercise, and entertain. She interviewed each new resident to find out about their life and she wrote about their dreams, talents, giftings, families, jobs, education, interests, and faith. She put together and hosted road trips, ice cream socials, book reviews, body recall classes, sing-a-longs, talent shows, Christmas pageants, craft and trade shows, art shows, and luncheons. She recruited faithful volunteers to help, all for the residents of the Glen. She even raised several ducks outside her office window for the residents to watch and enjoy. Sandy loved each person and encouraged them to keep on keeping on! In 2008 she became a widow again. When asked if she would ever marry again, she would say, "been there, done that. I'm just going to enjoy being single!" After 30+ years she retired to become a "Golden Girl." She filled these golden years with road trips with friends to Monroe, church, water aerobics, luncheons at all the local dives, supper clubs, garage sales, doctor appointments, hip replacements, knee replacements, chemo and more road trips. She went to heaven at 5:00 am Thursday morning in the comfort of her home. 

Sandy is survived by her brother Charles (Chuck) Hall, wife Becky Frazier Hall and their children; daughter Kathy Allums and granddaughter Wimberly Hamm; son Chris Allums, wife Ellen, and grandchildren James Christopher, Jon Thomas, Caroline, and Elizabeth Allums; stepdaughter Tammie Draughon Thompson who stayed by her side and helped her to the very end, grandchildren Alyssa and Taylor Thompson, and Aiden; Aunt Carol and Uncle Carl Keys of Little Rock, Arkansas; and her many friends. She loved each one of you. Thank you for the cards, texts, phone calls, meals, visits, flowers, group singing, and bird seed to feed her squirrels. Thank you, Theda Dyer, for taking her to so many doctor visits and then to lunch! Special thanks to Golden Gates Nursing Services and two of their outstanding ladies, Nikki Wilson and Ashley Clark. You two are angels in disguise.

In lieu of flowers and plants please make donations to Broadmoor Presbyterian Church in her memory.