Sandra Wilkerson Shoaf

Sandra Wilkerson Shoaf passed away peacefully on April 24, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

A funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 2:30 PM, visitation prior from 1-2 at the church and a burial at Forest Hill Memorial Park will follow.

Sandra was born in Roxboro, NC on October 13, 1935 to Edgar Lewis and Odell Brewer Wilkerson. She graduated from Lexington Senior High School. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband James “Jimmy” Shoaf and brother, Edgar Wilkerson, Jr.

Starting piano as a child, Sandra was a lifelong musician. Shortly after graduating from Greensboro Woman's College with a major in music, she began teaching piano. Many families in Lexington trekked weekly to the basement in her home, where she gave lessons on weekday afternoons. She remained close to her students, many of whom went on to become very successful music teachers and performers.

In January of 1960, she became the organist at First United Methodist Church in Lexington, NC, and remained in that capacity for 44 1/2 years. She had the privilege of performing with many different singers and musical groups through her lifetime, including the Lexington Chorale Society and various Lexington music clubs, with the Lexington Senior High School Chorale Ensemble performance at the White House in 2006 being one of the highlights.

She continued to share her musical gift until literally a few weeks before her passing, as she entertained other memory care residents while playing the piano at the TerraBella Senior Living facility in Salisbury. Alzheimer's disease could rob her of many things, but amazingly, it could not take away her love for music or her ability to share it with others.

While Sandra enjoyed indoor activities, including cooking, jigsaw puzzles, and ping-pong, she also enjoyed the outdoors, particularly her weekly tennis outings. She and Jimmy tended a huge garden every year, and gave away more vegetables than they could ever use themselves. She was a huge fan of college basketball, and loved pulling for Roger Federer.

She is survived by her sons; Steve Shoaf (Linda), and Glenn Shoaf (Stephanie); her brother, Maywood Wilkerson (Mary Louise); six grandchildren; Madison Shoaf, Jordan Shoaf, Megan Shoaf, Carly Shoaf, Luke Shoaf (Jena) and Jessie Shoaf and sister-in-law, Cathy Wilkerson.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to First United Methodist Church, 310 South Main Street, Lexington, NC 27292. These donations will be distributed equally between the music program at the church and the scholarship program of the Lexington Senior High School Chorale Ensemble.

Condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net