Verdelle Church Sands

Verdelle Genevieve Church Sands transitioned peacefully and was called to rest on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown, Maryland. Verdelle was born on September 20, 1931, in Salisbury, Maryland. She was the first of eight children born to the late Harry T. and Hazel Burris Church. Verdelle was educated in the Wicomico County public schools graduating from Salisbury High School in 1948. She graduated from Morgan State College (now University) in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts in history. Verdelle was a member of the Alpha Gamma chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. It was at Morgan that Verdelle met her future husband Clifton Sands Sr. Clifton and Verdelle were married in 1953 in the Church family home in Delmar, Maryland. As Clifton’s military career moved him and the family to various points around the world, Verdelle taught school. She taught high school in Bel Air, Maryland, and middle school in Fort Washington, Maryland. She taught kindergarten when the family was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, and taught in a Head Start program in San Antonio, Texas. She loved to learn, loved people, and loved being involved in activities. She took courses in local colleges and classes on topics such as public speaking. She served on PTAs, was a Girl Scout troop leader, a Cub Scout den mother, and a member of the Red Hatters. Verdelle was a mentor to many, sharing what she’d learned and sharing her ability to organize and lead. She was always willing to help those in need. Verdelle was an active member of Saint Paul United Methodist Church. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, the Choir, and regularly attended Sunday School. She chaired the Golden Agers and helped start the Tanner Community Resource Center, taking a special interest in the Food Pantry, where she and Clifton spent many hours working. Verdelle enjoyed reading, gardening, traveling, sewing, but her favorite activity was spending time with loved ones. Verdelle Genevieve Church Sands joins her husband, Colonel (Ret) Clifton A Sands Sr and son Lt. Col. (Ret) Craig A. Sands, who preceded her in death. Verdelle is survived by her daughter Carol Gambrill (Michael, Esq.) of Baltimore, MD; son Clifton Sands Jr (Katherine) of Las Vegas, NV.; son Rev C. Alexander Sands (Shana) of Greenville SC; daughter in law Pamela Johnson Sands of Niceville FL; granddaughter Erica Gambrill of Baltimore, MD; granddaughter Bianca Sands of Atlanta, GA; grandson Michael Gambrill of Dallas, TX; grandson Raymond Gambrill, Esq. of Baltimore, MD; granddaughter Cari Sands of Niceville, FL; grandson Christian Sands of Greenville, SC; grandson Blake Sands of Greenville, SC; great-granddaughter Chloe Sands of Atlanta, GA; great-grandson Corey Lewis of Baltimore, MD; great-grandson Cameron Lewis of Baltimore, MD; sister Annabelle Dix of Delmar, MD; brother Harry Church of Delmar, MD; sister Jane Birckhead of Delmar, MD; brother Edward (Velverline) of Delmar, MD; sister Carolyn Scott Moore of Delmar, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

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Verdelle Church Sands

September 20, 1931 - October 29, 2019