Thomas James Sands, a retired minister, passed away on February 10, 2018 at his home in Cleveland, Tn.
He was the sixth child born on October 29th, 1942 to Clifford and Gertrude Sands in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, Bahamas.
Tommy’s early education was in the Bahamas. He received his BA degree from Northwest Bible College in Minot, North Dakota and went on to pastor Bismarck Church of God. Reverend Tommy and wife, Joyce, served with Church of God World Missions as missionary teachers in Jakarta, Indonesia, and as Superintendent of the Asia Pacific region with residence in Manila, Philippines. He pastored Faith Temple in Nassau, Bahamas and served as Superintendent of the Oceana Region.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, one brother, and infant son, Thomas Odine Ronald Sands.
Tommy is survived by his wife, Joyce; a daughter, Debbie Cole, and her husband, Jamee Cole; a son, Ian Sands, and his wife, Anna Sands; and four grandchildren: Emma, Francis, and Jane Cole and Logan Sands. He is also survived by a sister, Elva Gates; and a brother, Wendal Sands.
The Remembrance of Life Service will be conducted on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. at the Grace Community Church of God with Pastor Kevin Mendel, Reverend Jones Mahaffey, Dr. Manning Thornton, Max Hughes and Bishop Harold McCloud officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with Jack Morris, Tim O'Neal, Larry Samples, Larry Maitlen, Jamee Cole, Ian Sands, Andrew Burrows, Shuffel Hepburn and Mose Hicks serving as casket bearers.
The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until the service time at at the Grace Community Church of God.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Pancreatic Research Foundation: http://www.npcf.us/donate/. The Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel has charge of the arrangements.
You may share your condolences and your memories with the Sands family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.