Sandra Bays

Sandra Bays, 86, passed away peacefully July 25, 2025 at her Shady Spring home.

Born July 22, 1939, in Lamar, W.Va., Sandra was the daughter of Hiawatha James Burnette and Zillian (Shrewsbury) Burnette.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 57 years, Neil Bays, and her sister, Ruth Ann Motzno.

Survivors include a son, Kenneth Bays, of Lewisburg, W.Va.; a daughter, Lisa Bays and partner Dr. Krissie Weimer, of Greeley, Colo.; a brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Nancy Burnette, of White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.; cousins Pam Jones, Shirley Sumner Needleman, Linda Sumner, Patricia Sherman, Roy Shrewsbury II, Tom Webb, Carl Wood and Steven Wood; and nephew Doug Motzno.

She also leaves behind her beloved church family at Trinity Presbyterian, in Shady Spring; her trusted caregiver of six years, Patricia Ratliff, of Beaver; and many other compassionate caregivers who provided kind and affectionate care during her illness.

Sandra was a 1957 graduate of Shady Spring High School and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Marshall University. She taught at Slab Fork Elementary School and Daniels Elementary School. Sandra loved her students and was named a West Virginia Teacher of the Year in the 1960s.

She began attending Trinity Presbyterian Church in the 1980s,later serving as pianist for more than 25 years.

Sandra spent much of her adult life lovingly raising her children and, in later years, serving as caregiver for her mother for more than a decade.

A service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 at Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home Shady Spring Chapel, with Pastor Dr. Sue Hollandsworth officiating. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations of sympathy be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia.

Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net.

Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 729 Flat Top Road, Shady Spring, WV.