Sandra Bryant Keene

 

Sandra Evett Bryant Keene was born in Middletown, Ohio, on September 25, 1950, the first of three children born to the union of Willie and Dorothy Bryant (Ferguson). Sandra accepted Christ at an early age and attended New Era Baptist Church.  She was educated in the public-school system, graduating from Middletown High School.

 

During her childhood years she loved having fun with her family. Whether it was fishing with her dad, shopping with her mom or after school activities with her siblings, family meant everything.

 

Sandra attended Central State University and graduated in 1972 earning her Bachelor of Arts in Education.  She enjoyed playing piano at church and was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Omega chapter.

 

While at a Halloween party, Sandra met the love of her life, Bruce Keene. They talked all night but he failed to get her number. After some library research, he sent a letter to her parent’s house.  On their first date, they discovered their shared love of reading (down to specific authors) and their fascination with computers., On March 13, 1982 Sandra and Bruce were joined in holy matrimony at Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio.  They, along with her two beautiful daughters Capricia and Amber became Keene party of 4.

 

Sandra was an educator with the Cleveland Board of Education and taught K-6.  She treasured the energy of 2nd and 3rd graders but loved the inquisitiveness of 5th and 6th graders. She authored several computer technology grants that were approved and financed by the Cleveland Education Fund.  As a result, she was then offered a job as their Education Director, tasked with instructing teachers on how to best use computers in their classrooms. Sandra also ran the science lab at a Shaker Heights grade school.  She was overjoyed to return to teaching, recently homeschooling granddaughter Makayla through her sophomore year of high school. 

 

Sandra was a loving mother to her daughters and was so proud of their accomplishments.  Following in her mother’s footsteps, Capricia enrolled at Central State University majoring in Education.  Amber followed “Nana” and her Aunt Debbie’s path and became a Registered Nurse.  When the first of 4 grandchildren were born, Sandra wanted to be called “Mia” (grandmother in a foreign language).  Shania couldn’t pronounce that thus “Meena” it was for her and all the others who followed.

 

Sandra and Bruce enjoyed traveling and loved to take the children and grandchildren camping.  In recent years her requirements for camping were a cabin with air conditioning, cable tv, wi-fi and a log-burning fireplace! They traveled to Europe while Debbie and Ralph in Germany and visited Switzerland, France and Italy.  While Sandra was afraid of heights, she went up the Eiffel Tower…she just didn’t look down. 

 

After a life well lived, Sandra was called home to glory on August 20, 2020 in Bedford, Ohio.  She’s eternally reunited with her parents Willie and Dorothy Bryant.  She leaves to celebrate her life; husband of 38 years Bruce; daughters Capricia McConnell and Amber Keith; grandchildren Shania Norvell (Abdul Mohamed) Jayden McConnell, Alexandria and Makayla Keith; great-granddaughters Habiba, Shamsa and Zayna Mohamed; sister Debbie Thomas (Ralph), brother William Bryant and a host of nieces, nephews, loving family and friends.