Sandra "Sandi" Ashworth (1943-2021)

Sandi Ashworth was born Saundra Orleen Batson in Charleston, West Virginia on December 15, 1943 to Orla Seager and Myrtle Amelia (Redfox) Batson. She went peacefully to be with her Lord on July 3, 2021 in her adopted home of San Antonio, Texas. She attended Stonewall Jackson High School. She received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from West Virginia University in 1965, where she also met her future husband, Michael Ashworth. After marrying, she and her husband moved to San Antonio, Texas so Mr. Ashworth could continue his military career at Lackland AFB. Sandi became an elementary school music teacher and in 1974, she received her Master of Education in Counseling at Trinity University. She divorced and decided to remain in San Antonio because she loved the River Walk.

She retired from full-time teaching after 42 years in the Alamo Heights School District, and continued to substitute and voluntarily teach guitar to 4th and 5th graders one day a week at Woodridge Elementary. She was a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, where she served as Elementary School President and Photographer. She was a member of
the Texas Choral Directors Association and the San Antonio Choral Society.

Sandi became a member of Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church in October, 1973. She was hired as their Music Director in October, 1990, faithfully serving the congregation the rest of her life. She served on the Worship Committee and led the Choir and Handbells. She attended a Walk to Emmaus, and was a member of the Agape Band and the Ukulele Ladies
& Gents of Saint Andrew.

She would return to West Virginia to visit with family and friends during the summer. Sandi was an avid photographer and scrapbooker. She was in a group called the Cadence Cloggers, and the dance group had a small part in the Burt Reynolds/Dolly Parton movie filmed in Texas.

She loved her students, their parents, her colleagues, friends, and church family very much. Sandi loved Christmas. “Sandi Claus” would deliver Christmas gifts on her birthday to businesses she visited regularly, teachers and staff at Woodridge, her church friends, and her scrapbook ladies.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Deloris Seckman, and her aunt, Gladys Barron. She is survived by two nieces, Joyce Hendrix and Linda Barker (Steve), and two nephews, Gary Seckman (Sheri) and Warren Seckman, plus many great nieces and nephews and friends who were family, including her assistant, Shirley Brown, and physical therapist, Dr. Bill Richardson.

Sandi was very active until her last hospitalization in April, 2021. Family and friends would like to thank Embrace Hospice Care and Linda’s Transitional Care for their compassion and care these last two months.

A Celebration of Sandi’s Life was held on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church. The service can be watched here, with Rev. Dr. Doug Dalglish, officiating. A reception followed at Saint Andrew in All Saints’ Hall. Interment was in the Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden. 

To make a donation in Sandi’s memory, please check the “In Memory of” box and note “Sandi Ashworth Fund” in the memo line.

Sandi, you will be dearly missed, and we thank God for your life, your laughter, and your love.