Sandra Lynne DeShazior, 67, of Akron, Ohio went home to be with the Lord on Friday afternoon, September 26, 2025, surrounded by her husband and loving family.
Born on December 20, 1957, Sandra was known for her warm personality, hospitality, infectious spirit and smile. Her enthusiasm was evident in all of her endeavors. She enjoyed spending time with her husband, family, friends and loved ones.
She was a founding member of the Butterflies for Christ Ministries of Akron, an Ohio nonprofit organization dedicated to positively affecting the lives of Ohio’s indigent families with children.
After completing the DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) business certification from John R. Buchtel High School she embarked on a career in Non-Purchase Finance. After her 1976 high school graduation, she worked as a loan officer at Finance America, a subsidiary of Bank of America. In 1997 she rose to the ranks of Unit Manager at Chrysler First Financial. In addition, Sandra was an officer of Credit Women Ohio and a member of the Greater Cleveland Mortgage Bankers Association.
After two decades, Sandra focused on her love of children by working for Akron Summit Community Action, Inc. as a coordinator for the Child Assault Prevention Program. The program taught Summit County’s youth how to protect themselves from childhood abuse and trauma.
In the final stanza of her career, Sandra took the challenge of researching demographic aggregate family data at The University of Akron for the Public Policy Program which served as a data source for the Ray Bliss Institute.
She loved solving complicated jigsaw puzzles and was a master puzzle dissectologist. She completed over 100 puzzles that were framed to hang in homes and offices of friends and family.
An avid tennis fan, Sandra traveled the world to major WTA/ATP tennis events to watch tournaments in Europe and across North America. She attended grand slam tennis championships at the Roland Garros for the French Open and the U.S. Tennis Center for U.S. Open Championships.
Sandra fulfilled her childhood dreams by traveling to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, Central America and Africa. Whenever she traveled, she met and embraced new friends and family.
Sandra was preceded in death by her grandmother, Catherine Brooks Williams; stepfather and mother, Eddie and Alice Bush;
parents-in-love, Melvin and Daisy DeShazior; aunt, Mary Felder; uncles, Richard Brooks, Sr. and Willie Hubbard Sr. and a dear cousin, Willie Hubbard, Jr.
She leaves to carry on her legacy of love devoted husband, Deacon Samuel DeShazior; children, James Darone Shropshire (Renee) and Amanda Rae DeShazior; brother, Allen Wayne Hubbard; sister, Starlett D. Mitchell (Damon Sr.); brother-in law, Deacon Melvin R. “Sonny” DeShazior, Jr. (Erma); four grandchildren, Ava, Joshua, Elijah and Aubrey; special goddaughter, Erin Robinson and special nephew, Damon Eric Mitchell, Jr. and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends, who all brought immeasurable joy to her life. A special tribute is paid to her friends Denise Robinson and Min. Carmen McCall of the Butterflies For Christ.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10:00 am until 11:30 am at New Hope Baptist Church, 1706 S. Hawkins Ave. Akron, Oh 44320. Funeral service will immediately follow and will be live streamed at www.youtube.com/@newhopecity9638 Interment Mount Peace Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to 361 Hickory St. Akron, Oh 44303.