Sandra Kay Thomas Beach was born April 29, 1952, in Blackville, South Carolina, to Mr. Rayford Thomas, Jr. and Mrs. Nettie Mae Thomas. On September 26, 2026, Sandra departed this earthly life at Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, South Carolina, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of faith, family, music, service, and love.

Sandra's faith was a foundation of her life. A lifelong member of Macedonia Baptist Church, she faithfully shared her gifts in service to God and others as a choir director, Vacation Bible School teacher, floral ministry member, vocal coach, and through several other ministries. She also served as choir director at Tabernacle Baptist Church. For Sandra, faith and music were deeply intertwined, and she found great joy in using her talents to uplift others.

Sandra was educated in the Blackville, South Carolina, public school system and proudly graduated from Macedonia High School, Class of 1970. Her love of music led her to Benedict College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1974. She later became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, through the Alpha Omicron Zeta Graduate Chapter, joining a sisterhood rooted in scholarship, service, and community. A gifted vocalist, Sandra followed her dreams to New York City, where she pursued a career on Broadway before eventually returning home to South Carolina.

Sandra served children and families in the Blackville public school system for nearly 30 years, primarily as a pre-kindergarten teacher's aide. During her career, she also spent a year as a music teacher, bringing her love of music into the classroom. Her patience, kindness, and gentle spirit made her a beloved presence in the lives of generations of students.

In December 1990, Sandra married Alfonso Beach, with whom she shared 28 years of marriage until his passing in October 2019. Together, they built a family and shared nearly three decades of life's joys, challenges, milestones, and memories. Through every season, Sandra's family remained at the center of her heart.

Music was woven into the fabric of Sandra's life. She loved singing and playing the piano and generously offered voice and piano lessons to others who shared her passion. Over the years, she lent her voice to countless weddings, funerals, church services, and special occasions as both a choir member and soloist.

Perhaps her greatest musical legacy was her longtime leadership of the Blackville Community Choir, which she began directing in 1976. For decades, Sandra helped preserve the rich tradition of a cappella spirituals while creating opportunities for people to gather, celebrate, and learn through music. Among the choir's most meaningful contributions were its Black History programs, which featured memorable performances celebrating Black history, culture, and heritage. These programs reflected Sandra's belief in the power of music to preserve history, educate others, and inspire future generations. In 2018, under Sandra's direction, the Blackville Community Choir was honored by the South Carolina General Assembly and the South Carolina Arts Commission with the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award, recognizing its contributions to South Carolina's cultural heritage.

Sandra's commitment to her community extended beyond music. She was a passionate supporter of The Phoenix Project in Blackville and volunteered with Blackville Rising through Arts, helping to nurture local talent, celebrate the area's history and culture, and support creative opportunities through the community's digital arts lab.

Above all, Sandra will be remembered for the woman she was: sweet, kind, generous, and always willing to lend a helping hand. She greeted others with a smile and freely gave her time, encouragement, and talents. She leaves behind a lifetime of accomplishments and generations of people who were taught, encouraged, inspired, and loved by her. Her absence will be deeply felt, but the love she gave and the lives she touched will carry her memory forward.

Sandra was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Alfonso Beach; her father, Mr. Rayford Thomas, Jr.; her sister, Ms. Shirley Ann Thomas; her brother, Mr. Herman Thomas; her niece, Dr. Tori Thomas Simmons; and her grandmother, Mrs. Janie Etheredge.

Those left to cherish her precious memories include her daughter, Ms. Melody Thomas of Blackville, SC; her mother, Mrs. Nettie Mae Thomas of Blackville, SC; her siblings, Ms. Tonya Thomas of Blackville, SC, Mr. Walter Thomas of Williston, SC, Mr. Rodney (Grace) Thomas of Columbia, SC, Mr. Anthony Thomas of Oklahoma City, OK, Mr. Seaman (Ernestine) Beach of Baltimore, MD, Mrs. Glen (Bobby) Hudson of Govan, SC, Mr. Andrew Beach of Orangeburg, SC, Ms. Lucy Beach of Anderson, SC, and Mr. Harvey (Rebecca) Beach of Columbia, SC; and a host of other relatives, friends, students, church family, fellow musicians, and community members who were blessed to know and love her.