Sandra Tappan of Clyde, Texas passed away April 5, 2023.  She was born in Abilene, Texas and raised in Clyde, Texas by the late Robert Shoemaker and his wife, Emily. Sandra attended Texas Tech University, earning her Master's Degree in Secondary Education as a Reading Specialist.  She started her teaching career in Lubbock, Texas where she immediately fell in love with teaching and especially the kids.  Little did she know her future was about to take a unique turn.

It was at Texas Tech where she met John, fell in love and started their 46 years of life together.  It is said that Sandra was surprised to learn John was planning to join the Air Force.  That did not rattle her as she packed her bags for the journey that lay ahead.  After 25 years she was always quick to say they moved 11 times and lived in California, Japan, Arkansas (2), Virginia (2), Illinois, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Germany, but always coming back to the state, she so loved, Texas.  Although they made frequent moves, Sandra managed to use her teaching skills by teaching in Japan and every state throughout their travels.

Anytime you saw Sandra, she would have something on to remind her of Texas.  If you walked into their home, you did not have to ask where they were from, you could look in any room and know they were from Texas.  Sandra was always in charge of handling family special events with cards, birthday parties, holiday events and gifts.  She made sure everyone got to where they needed to go for baseball, soccer, Boy Scouts and school events. She was also the Editor-in Chief of her annual Christmas Letter.  Her most important duty was keeping her family connected no matter where they were in the world.

The highlight of John and Sandra's life together was their two sons Brent and Jake.  Fortunately for the boys, Sandra's teaching skills and motherly instincts were in full force.  With John gone a great deal of the time, Sandra held down the home front, spent countless hours getting the boys into good schools with every move, monitoring their homework, checking their grades and encouraging them to participate in school sports activities.  Her hard work paid off with Brent graduating from the University of Arkansas and Jake from Texas A&M.  Brent and Jake have wonderful families and great careers.

Sandra is survived by her husband of 46 years, John Tappan; sons, Brent Tappan and wife Krista; and grandsons; Kyle and Drew of North Bend, Washington; son Jake Tappan and wife Hayley; and grandsons Graham and Price of Frisco, Texas; sister Diane and husband Russell Gerard of Willis, Texas and niece Carly and husband Drake Kennett and their two sons Logan and Declan of Sachse, Texas.

Memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Bailey-Howard Funeral Home on Wednesday April 12, 2023.  Funeral Home is located at 105 Oak Street, Clyde, TX 79510 (Phone: 325-893-4225).  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Sandra's memory to Clyde EX Students Association, 526 Shalimar Dr. Clyde, Texas 79510.