Sandra Denise Taylor Hines
Sandra Denise Taylor Hines, the eighth of nine children, was born on May 28, 1956, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the late Otto and Milan Taylor, Sr. She accepted the Lord at an early age and continued to work in His vineyard until her health declined. She joined the heavenly choir and received her wings on January 12, 2025.
She was deeply committed to serving the Lord as her personal savior. As a youth, she was baptized at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. The family later united with Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, where she served diligently in the church choir. In adulthood, she served faithfully at New Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church in the dynamic role of choir director and participant in the Deaconess Ministry. San and Edward (Ed) were founding members of the New Covenant Fellowship Church. Her dedication and devotion were exhibited through serving on the Praise Team and working with the Children’s Ministry. Her parents instilled in her the values of faith, family and serving the community.
Her formative years were spent in the Alton Park area, nestled in the South Side of Chattanooga. She attended the community schools at Frank H. Trotter Elementary, Alton Park Junior High, and graduated from Howard High School in the class of 1974. She later matriculated to Chattanooga State Technical Community College where she received an Associate’s Degree in Education and became a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority.
While attending Chattanooga State, she met the love of her life Edward Hines (Ed). They married in 1980 and were blessed by God to receive a beautiful surprise, a loving son, Brandon Dewayne Hines. After graduation her career path led to employment at Orange Grove School, Provident Insurance, and later retiring from Cigna Insurance serving as a Team Leader for 44 years.
Sandra’s love extended beyond her immediate family. She included everyone in her circle of love with immeasurable acts of kindness, mentorship, and volunteer service. She maintained a reservoir of love and inspiration along with a vibrant smile that would light up a room and hugs that would bring comfort and warmth. San was a shining light and a great source of strength and encouragement to all. She had an abundant passion for creating a fashionable garment from an ordinary piece of cloth. She was also a superb cook, acknowledged in her family with her rendition of a secret recipe for yielding delightful, and delicious sweet potato pies.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Milan Taylor, Sr., brothers Maurice and Otto Taylor, Jr., sister Juanita Ransom.
She leaves to cherish her memory: husband of 44 years, Edward Hines; son, Brandon Hines; brothers, Michael (Monica) Taylor, and Kenneth (Deborah) Taylor; sisters, Veronica Blaylock, Carolyn (Robert) Adams, Leonetta (Donald) Jamison; sisters-in-law, Brenda Taylor, Joan Taylor Joanne Stinson, Clarissa (Clarence) Ammons; brother-in-law Cecil (Everlena) Hines. A host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Special friends: Georgetta Floyd, Cheryl Saxton, and Tonya Whitten.
A public viewing will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 2-6 p.m. A Triumphant Celebration will be held on Jan. 29, at noon. Both services will be held at New Covenant Fellowship Church, 1326 N. Moore Rd. Friends and family are invited to wear purple to honor San’s vibrant spirit.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.